Prostaglandin inhibitors
How prostaglandin inhibitors are given
Side effects of prostaglandin inhibitors - mother
Side effects of prostaglandin inhibitors - baby
Prostaglandins produced by the woman's body are thought to play a major role in stimulating and maintaining labour. The use of prostaglandin medications, as a vaginal gel or pessary, is used frequently by caregivers to induce labour. Inhibiting or suppressing the production of the woman's natural prostaglandins is another treatment that can be used to delay or stop preterm labour.
The most common prostaglandin inhibitor used is called 'indomethacin' (or 'Indocid'). Others that have been used less frequently are 'sulindac' (or 'Clinoril'), 'naproxen', 'flufenamic acid' and aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended these days because large doses are required to suppress preterm contractions and this can cause abnormal bleeding.
Individual prostaglandin inhibitors can work in different ways to achieve inhibition of the prostaglandin production. Therefore each prostaglandin inhibitor will have varying effects and side effects. These medications may be used on their own, in combination with other treatments (for example if the betamimetic drugs do not work effectively or are producing undesired side effects). They may also be used if other medications can't (for example betamimetics may not be recommended for women with heart conditions or diabetes).
Prostaglandin inhibitors have been shown to reduce the incidence of preterm labour and in turn are capable of increasing the baby's chances of being more mature and therefore having better health once born.
Prostaglandin inhibitors can mask the normal signs of infection (for example pain and fever). This can be a problem if the woman is developing an infection within the uterus (for example after the waters have broken) and it cannot be immediately recognised by the caregiver.