misoprostol

noun

mi·​so·​pros·​tol ˌmī-sō-ˈprä-ˌstōl  -ˌstȯl 

: a synthetic prostaglandin analog C₂₂H₃₈O₅ used to prevent stomach ulcers associated with NSAID use and to induce abortion in conjunction with mifepristone

Examples of misoprostol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts claim that misoprostol is too risky to use when the mother is experiencing such heavy bleeding, and a D&C should have been performed. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

That means that mifepristone and misoprostol couldn’t be prescribed for that purpose, according to Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the director of the New Orleans Health Department. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 30 Sep. 2024

Though women can also abort a pregnancy taking only misoprostol, according to Planned Parenthood. —Alyssa Goldberg, The Courier-Journal, 13 Nov. 2024

In addition to inducing abortions, mifepristone and misoprostol have other common uses, such as treating miscarriages, inducing labor and stopping hemorrhaging. —Sara Cline, Fortune, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

miso- (perhaps from methyl + iso-) + prostaglandin + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

misoprostol

noun

mi·​so·​pros·​tol ˌmī-sō-ˈpräs-ˌtōl  -ˌtȯl 

: a synthetic prostaglandin analog C₂₂H₃₈O₅ used to prevent stomach ulcers associated with NSAID use and to induce abortion in conjunction with RU-486