Carboprost

What is Carboprost?[edit | edit source]

Carboprost (Hemabate) is an oxytocic, contains the tromethamine salt of the (15S)-15 methyl analogue of naturally occurring prostaglandin F2α.

Carboprost

What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Carboprost (Hemabate) is used for aborting pregnancy between the 13th and 20th weeks of gestation. Carboprost is used in the following conditions related to second trimester abortion:

Failure of expulsion of the fetus during the course of 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;
Inadvertent or spontaneous rupture of membranes in the presence of a previable fetus and absence of adequate activity for expulsion.

Carboprost is indicated for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony which has not responded to conventional methods of management.
Carboprost's main use is in the obstetrical emergency of postpartum hemorrhage which reduces postpartum bleeding during these circumstances.

How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]

The tromethamine salt of the (15S)-15 methyl analogue of naturally occurring prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) with oxytocic activity.
Mimicking endogenous PGF2 alpha, carboprost activates prostaglandin F receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor, on smooth muscle cells, thereby resulting in smooth muscle contractions.
When administered intramuscularly on gravid subjects, this agent induces myometrium contractions, thereby initiating luteolysis and consequently parturition.
Furthermore, carboprost's action on vascular smooth muscle and gastrointestinal tract sphincters leads to raised blood pressure and induces vomiting or diarrhea, respectively.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]

This medicine have cannot be used in patients with:

Hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis and angioedema) to Hemabate Sterile Solution
Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
active cardiac, pulmonary, renal or hepatic disease

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Be sure to mention any of the following:
Concomitant use with other oxytocic agents is not recommended.

Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]

Yes, it was FDA approved.

How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]

Recommended dosage:

An initial dose of 1 mL of Hemabate Sterile Solution is to be administered deep in the muscle with a tuberculin syringe.
Subsequent doses of 250 micrograms should be administered at 1½ to 3½ hour intervals depending on uterine response.
An optional test dose of 100 micrograms (0.4 mL) may be administered initially.
The dose may be increased to 500 micrograms (2 mL) if uterine contractility is judged to be inadequate after several doses of 250 micrograms (1 mL).
The total dose administered of carboprost tromethamine should not exceed 12 milligrams and continuous administration of the drug for more than two days is not recommended.

Administration:

An initial dose of 250 micrograms of Hemabate Sterile Solution (1 mL of Hemabate) is to be given deep, intramuscularly.
The total dose of Hemabate should not exceed 2 milligrams (8 doses).
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

As Hemabate Sterile Solution
Hemabate contains carboprost tromethamine equivalent to 250 mcg/mL of carboprost.

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

Hemabate

What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

Vomiting
Nervousness
Diarrhea
Nosebleed
Nausea
Sleep disorders
Flushing or hot flashes
Dyspnea
Chills or shivering
Tightness in chest
Coughing
Wheezing
Headaches
Posterior cervical perforation
Endometritis
Weakness
Hiccough
Diaphoresis
Dysmenorrhea-like pain
Dizziness
Paresthesia
Blurred vision
Backache
Epigastric pain
Muscular pain
Excessive thirst
Breast tenderness
Twitching eyelids
Eye pain
Gagging, retching
Drowsiness
Dry throat
Dystonia
Sensation of choking
Asthma
Thyroid storm
Injection site pain
Syncope
Tinnitus
Palpitations
Vertigo
Rash
Vaso-vagal syndrome
Upper respiratory infection
Dryness of mouth
Leg cramps
Hyperventilation
Perforated uterus
Respiratory distress
Anxiety
Hematemesis
Chest pain
Taste alterations
Retained placental fragment
Urinary tract infection
Shortness of breath
Septic shock
Fullness of throat
Torticollis
Uterine sacculation
Lethargy
Faintness, light-headedness
Hypertension
Uterine rupture
Tachycardia
Pulmonary edema
Endometritis from IUCD

What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]

Hemabate Sterile Solution (carboprost tromethamine), like other potent oxytocic agents, should be used only with strict adherence to recommended dosages.
Hemabate should be used by medically trained personnel in a hospital which can provide immediate intensive care and acute surgical facilities.
This product contains benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol has been reported to be associated with a fatal "Gasping Syndrome" in premature infants.
In patients with a history of asthma, hypo- or hypertension, cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic disease, anemia, jaundice, diabetes, or epilepsy, Hemabate should be used cautiously.
As with any oxytocic agent, Hemabate should be used with caution in patients with compromised (scarred) uteri.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]

Evidence from animal studies has suggested that certain other prostaglandins have some teratogenic potential.
Although these studies do not indicate that Hemabate is teratogenic, any pregnancy termination with Hemabate that fails should be completed by some other means.

Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Active ingredient:

CARBOPROST TROMETHAMINE

Inactive ingredients:

TROMETHAMINE
SODIUM CHLORIDE
BENZYL ALCOHOL
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Distributed by:

Pharmacia & Upjohn Co
Division of Pfizer Inc, NY

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]

Hemabate must be refrigerated at 2° to 8° C (36° to 46° F).

Carboprost Resources
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