Misoprostol

Print
Date: June 2026, Version 1.0

Quick read

In rare cases, birth defects have been observed in babies when misoprostol is used but the pregnancy continues.

What is it?

Misoprostol is used to end a pregnancy (termination/abortion).

Misoprostol (brand names Angusta® and Cytotec®) is also used to treat some types of stomach ulcer. However, it should not be used for this purpose if you could become pregnant, unless you are using reliable contraception.

How does misoprostol work?

Misoprostol works by causing the womb (uterus) to contract. To end a pregnancy, it is taken as the second step in a two-step process. First, another drug called mifepristone is taken, then misoprostol is taken. About 95 in every 100 pregnancies will end after using both medicines.

Make sure that you carefully follow the instructions given by your abortion provider when using these medicines.

There is a separate Bump leaflet on mifepristone.

What if my pregnancy continues after taking misoprostol?

In rare cases, using mifepristone and misoprostol may not end the pregnancy. If you think you may still be pregnant after taking these medicines, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You may need extra checks and monitoring.

There is some evidence that exposure to misoprostol during pregnancy can increase the chance of birth defects. These include problems with limb development, and weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control movement of the eyes and parts of the face.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.