Rectal misoprostol vs syntometrine in prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

Objective: To evaluate the value of 600 meg misoprostol, given rectally compared to I.M. Syntometrine (to minimize blood loss in the early postpartum hours. Design: A prospective clinical trial. Setting . Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University. Participants and Methods: Two hundred women were divided into two groups: G1: One hundred women received 600mcg misoprostol rectally and G2; one hundred women received combined oxytocin 5I.U. and ergometrine 0.5mg I.M. Duration of third stage, lab investigations and side effects were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference between both groups regarding vital signs, Hb%, Haematocrite or duration of third stage. Shivering was higher in the misoprostol groups while nausea and vomiting were more common with syntometrine. Conclusion: Our study showed similarity in the efficacy of misoprostol and syntometrine. Each drug has a different side effect profile, however all the side effects do not seem to be prohibitive.