MedicinehospitalEssential

Prostoglandins E

A dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) vaginal insert that ripens the cervix before labour.

Clinical information

Common uses

cervical ripening at or near term before induction of labour

Common side effects

overly frequent contractions (uterine tachysystole)
fetal distress

Cautions

hospital use by trained obstetric staff only
not after a previous caesarean or uterine surgery
not with unexplained vaginal bleeding or fetal distress

Interactions

oxytocin — never together; remove insert 30 minutes before

Pregnancy: used at term to start labour, under hospital care

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Cervidil (dinoprostone) vaginal insert label (Ferring), setid f3bc9031-0620-4a50-b440-f661cadfeb1d (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations1

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Prostoglandins E	Parenteral ( Injection )	prostoglandin E1 0.5mg/ml in alcohol,prostoglandin E2 1mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital