Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Dinoprostone may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel contains the prostaglandin dinoprostone and is used to "induce" labour. This means that the medicine will help your uterus (womb) to start contracting and you will go into labour. Dinoprostone is similar to the natural 'E2' type of prostaglandins which are made in your body when labour starts. Your doctor would have satisfied them self that there are no conditions making the induction unsafe. It will only be given to you in a hospital or clinic which has a specialised obstetric unit. 2.
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel
Most women can be treated with Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel. Some women may need extra checks during treatment and for some women a different treatment may be better. Your doctor or midwife will ask you questions before giving you Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel to make sure it is safe for you. If you do not understand any of the questions, ask your doctor or midwife to explain. Do not use Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel:
•
• •
you have been told that you have or might have placenta praevia (where the placenta lies across the entrance to the womb, rather than being high up and out of the way during birth). This causes bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy and may require that your baby is delivered by Caesarean section. you have had unexplained bleeding from the vagina or spotting at any time during your pregnancy. you have current heart, lung, kidney or liver disease.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or midwife before they use this medicine if you have or have had in the past any of the following conditions as they may want to monitor you more closely:
3.
to you
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel will be given to you by a trained professional in a hospital or clinic where facilities for monitoring you and your baby are available. Before you are given this medicine, you will be examined by your doctor or midwife. They need to know the position of your baby's head and how dilated (wide) your cervix (neck of the womb) is. Page 2 of 10
You will be given a numbered score after you have been examined. This is known as the Bishop score. The lower your Bishop score, the less ready you are to go into labour without any help. In this case, a higher dose of Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is given. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel will be inserted into the posterior fornix (an area high up in your vagina) while you are lying down. You will then be asked to stay lying down for at least 30 minutes.
The usual dose is 1 mg. If this is your first pregnancy and you have a low Bishop score, you will be given 2 mg. Your doctor or midwife may decide to give you a second dose of gel if you do not start having contractions or if you are only having weak contractions. Because this treatment can take a long time to have an effect in some women, your doctor or midwife will not give you a second dose until they are sure that this is needed. You should not have a second dose for at least six hours and many doctors and midwives will wait much longer than this. This means that you could even have your second dose the following day. You should not be given more than 4 mg. The doctor or nurse will keep a very close eye on you during your treatment to make sure that the contractions do not become too strong, as this could cause your uterus to tear. They should be able to act quickly if you have side effects or if your womb reacts too strongly to the dose you are given. You might just need a lower dose, or you might need some other obstetric procedure. Your doctor or midwife will do internal checks to make sure that your cervix is opening enough. They will also check your contractions (to make sure that they are not too strong) and your baby (to make sure he or she does not get distressed). 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you have asthma, Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel could cause you to have an asthmatic attack by causing a narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm). You must tell your doctor or midwife if you suffer from asthma or if you have difficulty breathing. Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
• • •
Abnormally strong, frequent or long contractions of the womb Itching, soreness, rash or feeling of warmth of the vaginal area High body temperature (fever)
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people
Page 4 of 10
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects or you are worried about anything unusual happening during your labour, talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel will not be given to you after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. The hospital pharmacist will store this medicine in a refrigerator at 2-8°C before use. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6.
What Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel contains The active substance is dinoprostone. Each pre-filled syringe contains 1 mg or 2 mg of dinoprostone. The other ingredients are triacetin and colloidal silicon dioxide. What Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel looks like and contents of the pack Each pack contains:
The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: Prostin® E2 Vaginal Gel 1 mg/2 mg dinoprostone [Pfizer logo] For vaginal use only. Presentation Translucent, thixotropic gel containing 1 or 2 mg dinoprostone per 3 g (2.5 ml). Uses Oxytocic. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is indicated for the induction of labour, when there are no f oetal or maternal contra-indications. Dosage and administration Usage is restricted to qualified health care professionals and to hospitals and clinics with specialised obstetric units with facilities for continuous monitoring. The recommended dose should not be exceeded, and the dosing interval should not be shortened as this increases the risk of uterine hyperstimulation, uterine rupture, uterine haemorrhage, foetal and neonatal death. Adults: In primigravida patients with unfavourable induction features (Bishop score of 4 or less), an initial dose of 2 mg should be administered vaginally. In other patients an initial dose of 1 mg should be administered vaginally. In both groups of patients, a second dose of 1 mg or 2 mg may be administered after 6 hours as follows: 1 mg should be used where uterine activity is insufficient for satisfactory progress of labour. 2 mg may be used where response to the initial dose has been minimal. Maximum dose 4 mg in unfavourable primigravida patients or 3 mg in other patients. The syringe should be assembled by following the sequence in the diagram. The gel should be inserted high into the posterior fornix avoiding administration into the cervical canal. The patient should be instructed to remain recumbent for at least 30 minutes. Elderly: Not applicable. Paediatric population: Not applicable. Method of administration Vaginally Contraindications, warnings, etc. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel should not be used where the patient is sensitive to prostaglandins. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is not recommended in the following circumstances: 1. For patients in whom oxytocic drugs are generally contra-indicated or where prolonged contractions of the uterus are considered inappropriate such as:
3. In patients where there is clinical suspicion or definite evidence of placenta praevia or unexplained vaginal discharge and/or abnormal bleeding during this pregnancy. 4. Patients with active cardiac, pulmonary, renal or hepatic disease. The Clinician should be aware that the intracervical placement of dinoprostone gel may result in inadvertent disruption and subsequent embolization of antigenic tissue causing in rare circumstances the development of Anaphylactoid Syndrome of Pregnancy (Amniotic Fluid Embolism). Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction: The response to oxytocin may be accentuated in the presence of exogenous prostaglandin therapy. Concurrent use with other oxytocic agents is not recommended. A dosing interval of at least 6 hours is recommended in case of oxytocin use is considered necessary following dinoprostone administration. If used in sequence, the patient's uterine activity should be carefully monitored. Effects on ability to drive and to use machines: Not relevant. Other undesirable effects: System Organ Class
Very Common ≥1/10
Common ≥1/100 to <1/10
Uncommon ≥1/1 000 to <1/100
Blood and lymphatic system disorders Immune system disorders
Cardiac disorders Vascular disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Gastrointestinal Vomiting disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Rare ≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000
Very Rare <1/10 000
Frequency Not Known (Cannot Be Estimated From Available Data)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation * Hypersensitivity, Anaphylactic reaction, Anaphylactic shock, Anaphylactoid reaction Cardiac arrest Hypertension Asthma , Bronchospasm Nausea
Diarrhoea Rash
Back pain
Page 7 of 10
System Organ Class
Very Common ≥1/10
Common ≥1/100 to <1/10
Pregnancy, Puerperium and Perinatal conditions
Uterine hypertonus, Foetal distress syndrome, Uterine contractions abnormal
Reproductive system and breast disorders General disorders and administration site conditions Investigations
Vulvovaginal burning sensation Pyrexia
Uncommon ≥1/1 000 to <1/100
Foetal heart rate abnormalEr
Rare ≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000
Very Rare <1/10 000
Frequency Not Known (Cannot Be Estimated From Available Data) Uterine rupture, Premature separation of placenta, Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy , Rapid cervical dilatation, Neonatal distress, Death neonatal††, Stillbirth †, Foetal death Irritation, Pain
Apgar score low
ror! Reference source not found.
Post-marketing surveillance Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: Pregnancy – Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is only used during pregnancy, to induce labour. Breast-feeding – Prostaglandins are excreted in breast-milk. This is not expected to be a hazard given the circumstances in which the product is used. Other special warnings and precautions Warnings: This product is available only to hospitals and clinics with specialised obstetric units and should only be used where 24-hour resident medical cover is provided. Use the total contents of the syringe for one patient only. Discard after use. Use caution in handling this product to prevent contact with skin. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after administration. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel and Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets are not bioequivalent. Precautions: Caution should be exercised in the administration of prostaglandin E2 in patients with:
Dinoprostone should be used with caution in patients with multiple pregnancy. In labour induction, cephalopelvic relationships should be carefully evaluated before use of prostaglandin E2. During use, uterine activity, foetal status and the progression of cervical dilation should be carefully monitored to detect possible evidence of undesired responses, e.g. hypertonus, sustained uterine contractions, or foetal distress. In cases where there is a known history of hypertonic uterine contractility or tetanic uterine contractions, it is recommended that uterine activity and the state of the foetus should be continuously monitored throughout labour. The possibility of uterine rupture should be borne in mind where high-tone uterine contractions are sustained. Animal studies lasting several weeks at high doses have shown that prostaglandins of the E and F series can induce proliferation of bone. Such effects have also been noted in newborn infants who have received prostaglandin E1 during prolonged treatment. There is no evidence that short-term administration of prostaglandin E2 can cause similar bone effects. Women aged 35 years or older, those with complications during pregnancy and those with a gestational age over 40 weeks have been shown to have an increased risk of post-partum disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition, these factors may further increase the risk associated with labour induction. Therefore, in these women, use of dinoprostone should be undertaken with caution. Measures should be applied to detect as soon as possible an evolving fibrinolysis in the immediate post-partum phase. Overdosage (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes): Overdosage may be expressed by uterine hypercontractility and uterine hypertonus. During use, uterine activity, foetal status and the progression of cervical dilation should be carefully monitored to detect possible evidence of undesired responses, e.g. hypertonus, sustained uterine contractions, or foetal distress. Because of the transient nature of PGE2induced myometrial hyperstimulation, non-specific, conservative management was found to be effective in the vast majority of cases: i.e. maternal position change and administration of oxygen to the mother. If conservative management is not effective, ß-adrenergic drugs may be used as a treatment of hyperstimulation following administration of PGE2 for cervical ripening, in appropriate patients. Incompatibilities: Not applicable. Pharmaceutical precautions Store at 2-8°C. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. The content of one syringe is to be used for one patient. Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and syringe label after EXP. Discard after use. Further information Unlike other oxytocics, prostaglandin E2 exhibits the capacity of the prostaglandins to influence uterine activity at any stage of gestation. Other Prostin E2 dosage forms are available for induction of labour (vaginal and IV routes), foetal death in utero (IV route), therapeutic termination of pregnancy (IV and extra-amniotic routes), missed abortion and hydatidiform mole (IV route). Package quantities Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is available in single packs of 1 mg or 2 mg. Legal category POM Marketing Authorisation Holder Pfizer Limited Ramsgate Road Page 9 of 10
Sandwich Kent CT13 9NJ UK Marketing Authorisation number(s) PL 00057/1029 Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 1 mg PL 00057/1025 Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 2 mg This leaflet was last revised in 02/2024. Ref: PR 8_0 METHOD OF ASSEMBLY OF THE SYRINGE 1. Remove from packaging.
2. Remove the syringe cap from the syringe.
3. Insert syringe cap into barrel of syringe.
Page 10 of 10
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 2mg comes as gel containing 2mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 2mg is dinoprostone.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 2mg, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Oxytocic agent. Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is indicated for the induction of labour, when there are no foetal or maternal contra-indications.
Usage is restricted to qualified health care professionals and to hospitals and clinics with specialised obstetric units with facilities for continuous monitoring.
The recommended dose should not be exceeded, and the dosing interval should not be shortened as this increases the risk of uterine hyperstimulation, uterine rupture, uterine haemorrhage, foetal and neonatal death.
Posology
Adults
In primigravida patients with unfavourable induction features (Bishop score of 4 or less), an initial dose of 2 mg should be administered vaginally. In other patients an initial dose of 1 mg should be administered vaginally.
In both groups of patients, a second dose of 1 mg or 2 mg may be administered after 6 hours as follows:
1 mg should be used where uterine activity is insufficient for satisfactory progress of labour.
2 mg may be used where response to the initial dose has been minimal.
Maximum dose 4 mg in unfavourable primigravida patients or 3 mg in other patients (see section 4.4).
Elderly
Not applicable.
Paediatric population
Not applicable.
Method of administration
Vaginally. The gel should be inserted high into the posterior fornix avoiding administration into the cervical canal. The patient should be instructed to remain recumbent for at least 30 minutes.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel should not be used where the patient is sensitive to prostaglandins or other constituents of the gel.
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is not recommended in the following circumstances:
• For patients in whom oxytocic drugs are generally contra-indicated or where prolonged contractions of the uterus are considered inappropriate such as:
- Cases with a history of Caesarean section or major uterine surgery.
- Cases where there is cephalopelvic disproportion.
- Cases in which foetal malpresentation is present.
- Cases where there is clinical suspicion or definite evidence of pre-existing foetal distress.
- Cases in which there is a history of difficult labour and/or traumatic delivery.
• In patients with a past history of, or existing, pelvic inflammatory disease, unless adequate prior treatment has been instituted.
• In patients where there is clinical suspicion or definite evidence of placenta praevia or unexplained vaginal bleeding during this pregnancy.
• Patients with active cardiac, pulmonary, renal or hepatic disease.
This product is only available to hospitals and clinics with specialised obstetric units and should only be used where 24-hour resident medical cover is provided.
Use the total contents of the syringe for one patient only. Discard after use. Use caution in handling the product to prevent contact with skin. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after administration.
As with any oxytocic agent, the risk of uterine rupture should be considered. Concomitant medication, maternal and foetal status should be taken into consideration in order to minimise the risk of uterine hyperstimulation, uterine rupture, uterine haemorrhage, foetal and neonatal death. Careful and regular monitoring of uterine activity and foetal heart rate should be conducted during use of dinoprostone. Patients who develop uterine hypertonus or hypercontractility, or in whom unusual foetal heart rate patterns develop, should be managed in a manner that addresses the welfare of the foetus and mother.
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel and Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets are not bioequivalent.
Caution should be exercised in the administration of Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel for the induction of labour in patients with:
• asthma or a history of asthma
• epilepsy or a history of epilepsy
• glaucoma or raised intra-ocular pressure
• compromised cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal function
• hypertension
• ruptured chorioamniotic membranes.
Dinoprostone should be used with caution in patients with multiple pregnancy.
In labour induction, cephalopelvic relationships should be carefully evaluated before use of Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel. During use, uterine activity, foetal status and the progression of cervical dilation should be carefully monitored to detect possible evidence of undesired responses, e.g. hypertonus, sustained uterine contractions, or foetal distress.
In cases where there is a known history of hypertonic uterine contractility or tetanic uterine contractions, it is recommended that uterine activity and the state of the foetus (where applicable) should be continuously monitored throughout labour. The possibility of uterine rupture should be borne in mind where high-tone uterine contractions are sustained.
Animal studies lasting several weeks at high doses have shown that prostaglandins of the E and F series can induce proliferation of bone. Such effects have also been noted in newborn infants who received prostaglandin E1 during prolonged treatment. There is no evidence that short-term administration of prostaglandin E2 can cause similar bone effects.
Women aged 35 years or older, those with complications during pregnancy and those with a gestational age over 40 weeks have been shown to have an increased risk of post-partum disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition, these factors may further increase the risk associated with labour induction (see section 4.8). Therefore, in these women, use of dinoprostone should be undertaken with caution. Measures should be applied to detect as soon as possible an evolving fibrinolysis in the immediate post-partum phase.
The response to oxytocin may be accentuated in the presence of exogenous prostaglandin therapy. Concurrent use with other oxytocic agents is not recommended. A dosing interval of at least 6 hours is recommended in case of oxytocin use is considered necessary following dinoprostone administration. If used in sequence, the patient's uterine activity should be carefully monitored.
Pregnancy
Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel is only used during pregnancy, to induce labour.
Breast-feeding
Prostaglandins are excreted in breast milk. This is not expected to be a hazard given the circumstances in which the product is used.
Not relevant.
The table below lists the adverse reactions identified through clinical trial experience and post-marketing surveillance by system organ class and frequency. Adverse reactions identified from post-marketing experience are included in italics. The frequency grouping is defined using the following convention: Very common (≥1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10 000 to <1/1 000); Very Rare (< 1/10 000); and Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions
System Organ Class
Very Common ≥1/10
Common ≥1/100 to <1/10
Uncommon ≥1/1 000 to <1/100
Rare ≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000
Very Rare <1/10 000
Frequency Not Known (Cannot Be Estimated From Available Data)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Disseminated intravascular coagulation*
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity,
Anaphylactic reaction,
Anaphylactic shock,
Anaphylactoid reaction
Cardiac disorders
Cardiac arrest
Vascular disorders
Hypertension**
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Asthma**,
Bronchospasm**
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back pain
Pregnancy, Puerperium and Perinatal conditions
Uterine hypertonus,
Foetal distress syndrome,
Uterine contractions abnormal
Uterine rupture,
Premature separation of placenta,
Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy**,
Rapid cervical dilatation,
Neonatal distress,
Death neonatal††,
Stillbirth†,
Foetal death
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Vulvovaginal burning sensation
Irritation, Pain
General disorders and administration site conditions
Pyrexia
Investigations
Foetal heart rate abnormal†
Apgar score low
* Reported during post marketing surveillance
** Maternal adverse events that have been reported only with use of the vaginal tablets.
† Foetal adverse events that have been reported with use of the cervical gel, intravaginal gel and vaginal tablets.
†† Foetal adverse event has only been reported with vaginal tablets.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Overdosage may be expressed by uterine hypercontractility and uterine hypertonus. During use, uterine activity, foetal status and the progression of cervical dilation should be carefully monitored to detect possible evidence of undesired responses, e.g. hypertonus, sustained uterine contractions, or foetal distress. Because of the transient nature of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced myometrial hyperstimulation, non-specific, conservative management was found to be effective in the vast majority of cases: i.e. maternal position change and administration of oxygen to the mother. If conservative management is not effective, ß-adrenergic drugs may be used as a treatment of hyperstimulation following administration of PGE2 for cervical ripening, in appropriate patients.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Prostin E2 Vaginal Gel 2mg. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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