Carboprost Tromethamine

Indications

Carboprost Tromethamine is used to terminate pregnancy between the 13th and 20th weeks of gestation. It is given in these conditions related to second trimester abortion: failure of expulsion of the fetus during treatment by another method; premature rupture of membranes in intrauterine methods, with loss of drug and insufficient or absent uterine activity; requirement of a repeat intrauterine instillation of drug for expulsion of the fetus; and inadvertent or spontaneous rupture of membranes in the presence of a previable fetus and absence of adequate activity for expulsion. It is also used to treat postpartum hemorrhage caused by the uterus failing to return to its normal size, in patients who have not responded to conventional treatments.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Carboprost tromethamine, given by intramuscular injection, makes the gravid uterus contract in a way that is similar to the contractions of labor at the end of a full term pregnancy. Nobody has yet determined whether these contractions come from a direct effect of carboprost on the myometrium. Even so, in most cases they empty the products of conception from the uterus.

Postpartum, the myometrial contractions that follow provide hemostasis at the site of placentation.

Carboprost tromethamine also stimulates the smooth muscle of the human gastrointestinal tract. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea or both, and these are common when the medicine is used to terminate pregnancy and for postpartum use.

In laboratory animals and in humans, carboprost tromethamine can raise body temperature. At the clinical doses used to terminate pregnancy and for postpartum use, some patients do have transient temperature increases.

Large doses can raise blood pressure in laboratory animals and in humans, probably by contracting the vascular smooth muscle. At the doses used for terminating pregnancy, this effect has not been clinically significant.

The original also says again that carboprost tromethamine can elevate body temperature in laboratory animals and in humans, and that some patients do experience temperature increases with the clinical doses used for the termination of pregnancy.

In some patients, carboprost tromethamine may cause transient bronchoconstriction.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Carboprost is in pregnancy category C. Animal studies don't show that it causes birth defects (it is not teratogenic). It has, however, been shown to be toxic to the embryo in rats and rabbits. Any dose that raises the tone of the uterus could also put the embryo or fetus at risk.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Abortion For abortion, the first dose of Carboprost Tromethamine is 1 ml (equal to 250 mcg of Carboprost), given by intramuscular injection. After that, give further doses of 250 mcg at intervals of 1½ to 3½ hours, depending on how the uterus responds. A test dose of 100 mcg (0.4 ml) may be given first if wanted. If the uterine contractions are judged to be inadequate after several doses of 250 mcg (1 ml), the dose may be raised to 500 micrograms (2 ml). The total dose of Carboprost Tromethamine should not go above 12 mg, and giving it continuously for more than 2 days is not recommended. For Refractory Postpartum Uterine Bleeding The first dose is 250 mcg (1 ml), given deep intramuscularly (IM). If needed, the 1 ml dose may be repeated after 15 to 90 minutes. The total dose should not exceed 2 mg (8 doses).