Safety and efficacy of mifepristone versus dinoprostone gel in induction of labor: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mifepristone for cervical ripening and induction of labor and compare the results with dinoprostone gel which is an established agent for labor induction.

Methods: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in a prospective study and assigned to one of two treatment protocols. After the exclusion of 10 patients, there were 46 patients in the mifepristone group and 44 in the dinoprostone group. Outcome was evaluated using the improvement in Bishop score, admission delivery interval, duration between induction and the onset of active phase of labor and the mode of delivery.

Results: The baseline demographics in the two groups were comparable. The improvement in Bishop's score at first post-intervention assessment was significantly better in dinoprostone group. Duration between instillation and active phase assessment was significantly lesser in dinoprostone group while the admission delivery interval was lesser in mifepristone group. There was no difference in mode of delivery between the two groups.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that oral administration of 200 mg mifepristone in term patients is an effective method of labor induction; and is more convenient and equally safe as compared to intravaginal instillation of dinoprostone.