CARBOPROST (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Hemabate

In Canada?

• Prostin/15M

Category

• Abortifacient
• Antihemorrhagic,postabortion uterine bleeding
• Antihemorrhagic,postpartum uterine bleeding
• Oxytocic

Description

Carboprost (KAR-boe-prost) isgiven by injection to cause abortion. It is an oxytocic, which means it actsby causing the uterus to contract the way it does during labor and also helpsthe cervix to dilate.

Carboprost may also be used for other purposes as determined by your doctor.

Carboprost is to be administered only by or under the immediate care ofyour doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Before Receiving This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For carboprost, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to carboprost or other oxytocics (medicines that stimulatethe uterus to contract). Also tell your health care professional if you areallergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor ifyou are taking any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC])medicine.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of carboprost. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Adrenal gland disease (history of)?Carboprost stimulates thebody to produce steroids

• Anemia?In some patients, abortion with carboprost may resultin loss of blood that may require a transfusion

• Asthma (or history of) or
• Lung disease?Carboprost may cause narrowing of the blood vesselsin the lungs or narrowing of the lung passages

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (history of)

• Epilepsy (or history of)?Rarely, seizures have occurred withuse of carboprost

• Fibroid tumors of the uterus or
• Uterus surgery (history of)?There is an increased risk of ruptureof the uterus

• Glaucoma?Rarely, the pressure within the eye has increasedduring use of carboprost

• Heart or blood vessel disease (or history of) or
• High blood pressure (or history of) or
• Low blood pressure (or history of)?Carboprost may cause changesin heart function or blood pressure changes

• Jaundice (history of)

• Kidney disease (or history of)

• Liver disease (or history of)?The body may not get carboprostout of the bloodstream at the usual rate, which may make the medicine worklonger or cause toxic effects

Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing?The dose of carboprost will be different for different patients.Your doctor will give you the dose of this medicine and follow your care ina hospital or another health care setting. The following information includesonly the average doses of carboprost.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For causing an abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy (13thto 24th week):
    • Adults?At first, 100 to 250 micrograms (mcg) injected deepinto a muscle. Then, 250 to 500 mcg every one and one-half to three and one-halfhours for up to two days.
  • For bleeding of the uterus after pregnancy:
    • Adults?250 mcg injected deep into a muscle. Your doctor mayrepeat this dose every fifteen to ninety minutes as needed.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwantedeffects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occurthey may need medical attention.

Tell the health care professionalimmediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Fast or slow heartbeat; headache (severeand continuing); hives or skin rash; increased pain of the uterus; pale,cool, blotchy skin on arms or legs; pressing or painfulfeeling in chest; shortness of breath; swelling of face, inside the nose, and eyelids; tightness in chest; trouble in breathing; weak or absent pulse in arms or legs; wheezing

Check with the health care professional as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:

Constipation; pain or inflammation atplace of injection; tender or mildly bloated abdomenor stomach

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects usually go away after the medicine is stopped.However, let the health care professional know if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting

Less common or rare

Chills or shivering; dizziness; fever (temporary); flushing or rednessof face; headache; stomachcramps or pain

This procedure may result in some effects, which occur afterthe procedure is completed, that need medical attention. Check with your doctorif you notice any of the following:

Chills or shivering (continuing); fever(continuing); foul-smelling vaginal discharge; increase in uterus bleeding; pain inlower abdomen

Other side effects not listedabove may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, checkwith your health care professional.