Carboprost
About Carboprost
Carboprost is a specialised prescription injection used to treat severe, life-threatening bleeding after childbirth, a condition known as postpartum haemorrhage, when other standard treatments have not worked. It is also used to end a pregnancy during the second trimester, typically between the 13th and 20th weeks. This medication works by causing strong contractions in the uterus, which helps compress bleeding blood vessels or safely empty the uterine cavity.
Because this medication is used for emergencies or specific medical procedures, it is not given on a regular daily schedule. A trained healthcare professional will inject it into a muscle in a hospital or clinic setting, sometimes repeating the dose at specific intervals depending on your body's response. There are no routine lifestyle or diet changes required to make this medicine work, though resting and staying hydrated after your procedure is highly recommended.
Common side effects of this injection include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and a temporary warm, flushed feeling. While these mild reactions are very common due to how the medicine acts on smooth muscles, you must alert your healthcare team immediately if you experience severe shortness of breath, sudden chest tightness, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Before receiving this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a history of asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems. Do not take this if you have active pelvic inflammatory disease or severe untreated diseases of the lungs, heart, kidneys, or liver, as this medication can worsen these conditions.
This injection can interact with other medicines that cause uterine contractions, which may increase the risk of uterine damage. Since it is intended for specific reproductive health situations, its use in breastfeeding or elderly individuals is limited and requires careful discussion with a healthcare provider to ensure safety.
Uses of Carboprost
Medicinal Benefits
This medication offers critical, life-saving benefits during obstetrical emergencies and specific medical procedures:
- Rapid control of severe bleeding: For mothers experiencing severe bleeding after delivery, this injection acts within minutes to contract the uterus, stopping blood loss quickly and preventing dangerous complications like shock.
- Reliable uterine emptying: In medical procedures where a pregnancy must be ended or in cases of incomplete miscarriage, it provides a highly effective, predictable way to clear the uterus without always needing immediate major surgery.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Carboprost will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Carboprost
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever, chills, or sweating
- Flushing or a warm feeling in the face and neck
- Headache
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest
- Sudden, severe increase in blood pressure (causing a severe headache or blurred vision)
- Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and severe skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution: Before use, your healthcare provider will inspect the vial. The liquid should be clear and colourless to pale yellow. Do not use if there are particles or discolouration.
- Asthma warning: Alert your medical team immediately if you have asthma. This medication can tighten the airways, making it dangerous for people with active asthma.
- Blood pressure checks: Expect frequent blood pressure monitoring during and after the injection, as this drug can cause a sudden, temporary rise in blood pressure.
- Uterine monitoring: Your healthcare provider will physically check your abdomen to ensure the uterus is contracting properly and tightening up.
Drug Interactions
- Other oxytocic medicines (e.g., oxytocin): Combining Carboprost with other medicines that stimulate uterine contractions is generally not recommended, as it may cause excessively strong or prolonged contractions, increasing the risk of uterine rupture or other serious complications. This combination should only be used under specialist medical supervision when clinically indicated.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid or limit consumption of alcohol after taking Carboprost as it may cause serious side effects.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedCarboprost is used to induce contractions in the uterus. Hence, it is considered safe to be used during pregnancy. Carboprost is also used for medical termination of pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Carboprost passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Carboprost.
Driving
unsafePatients should refrain from driving until they know that Carboprost does not affect their ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history or a pre-existing liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving this injection. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition. Carboprost is contraindicated in patients with severe active hepatic disease.
Kidney
cautionCarboprost to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeCarboprost is not recommended for children under the age of 18. The safety and effectiveness of Carboprost have not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and clear fluids to replace fluids lost from sweating, vomiting, or diarrhoea, which are common side effects of this medicine.
- Rest: Rest quietly in bed after receiving the injection to allow your uterus to recover and to avoid dizziness from sudden blood pressure changes.
- Gentle nutrition: Stick to bland, simple foods (like crackers, toast, or rice) once your doctor says you can eat, as this helps soothe your stomach after experiencing nausea or diarrhoea.
- Avoid strenuous activity: Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in intense physical exercise until your doctor confirms your body has fully recovered from childbirth or the medical procedure.
Special Advise
Carboprost when given for used to treat severe bleeding after childbirth (postpartum), it must be administered only under medical supervision in a hospital.
Get an ultrasound done to check whether medical abortion is done completely to avoid any unwanted complications.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Postpartum haemorrhage: It is heavy bleeding after the birth of the baby. Losing lots of blood quickly can cause a severe drop in blood pressure and may lead to shock and death if not treated. The common cause of postpartum haemorrhage is when the uterus does not contract enough after delivery. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding that doesn't slow or stop.
Medical abortion: Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) or medical abortion is using abortion pills to terminate a pregnancy. MTP is feasible only up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, and after that, surgical termination takes over. MTP is one of the safest methods of terminating an unwanted pregnancy. You should be mentally prepared for all the risks a surgical absorption could lead to, like incomplete abortion, heavy and prolonged bleeding (may last up to 30 days), fever, digestive system discomfort fever. Also, if the medication does not work, it can lead to an unwanted ongoing pregnancy, leading to fetal defects. So, to avoid complications, keep in regular touch with your doctor and do as advised.
FAQs
Carboprost is used for the initiation or improvement of uterine contraction (antepartum) and producing uterine contraction during the third stage of labour. Besides this, it also controls postpartum bleeding or haemorrhage after childbirth. It is also used for the medical termination of the pregnancy between the 13th to 20th week of pregnancy (second trimester of the pregnancy).
Carboprost contains carboprost that stimulates contraction of the uterine muscles, helping to control post-delivery bleeding.
If you have a previous premature delivery or a c-section, or cervical surgery, please inform your doctor before starting Carboprost. Also, mention a detailed medical history to your doctor to avoid complications.
No, Carboprost is not known to affect any future chances of fertility. Carboprost is used for medical abortion of pregnancy.
You should not receive Carboprost, if you have a pelvic inflammatory disease, breathing disorder, heart fitted with an artificial valve, heart diseases like high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol levels (increased fat in your blood), have asthma, have blood clot problems, have a bleeding disorder, have liver or kidney disease, have anaemia (low haemoglobin) or otherwise malnourished. Taking Carboprost in these conditions can cause life-threatening conditions in an individual. Please inform your doctor, your doctor will decide whether to give Carboprost.
After taking Carboprost, you may or may not experience vaginal bleeding, which is not an indication of complete abortion. Your doctor will examine by ultrasonography to confirm if the abortion is complete.
The most common side effects of Carboprost include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, and increased or decreased blood pressure. You might also feel increased uterine contractions for some time, but these are manageable under medical supervision.
The dose of Carboprost can vary depending on the individual medical condition. Your doctor will decide the dose based on your medical condition.
It is given as an injection directly into a muscle, usually in the thigh or buttock, by a trained healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. It is never self-administered at home. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the injection process.
Depending on how your body responds and whether the bleeding stops, your doctor may decide to give you additional doses spaced at least 15 to 90 minutes apart. Talk to your doctor to understand your specific treatment plan.
It is not fully known how much of this medicine passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider before the procedure so they can advise you on the safest timing for feeding your baby. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised guidance.
Although rare, a severe allergic reaction can occur. Look out for sudden hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and severe dizziness or trouble breathing. If you experience any of these, alert your healthcare provider immediately.
This medication stimulates smooth muscle tissue. While its main target is the uterus, it also stimulates the smooth muscles of your digestive tract, which can lead to temporary diarrhoea and nausea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these symptoms become severe.
No, this injection is only used to end a pregnancy under specific medical conditions or to treat severe bleeding after childbirth. It should never be used during a normal pregnancy that you intend to carry to term. Talk to your doctor for more information.
No, this medication can cause your airways to tighten (bronchospasm), which can be highly dangerous if you have asthma. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have any history of breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about safer alternatives.
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