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Oral misoprostol for induction of labour (1282)

A guideline is intended to assist healthcare professionals in the choice of disease-specific treatments.

Clinical judgement should be exercised on the applicability of any guideline, influenced by individual patient characteristics. Clinicians should be mindful of the potential for harmful polypharmacy and increased susceptibility to adverse drug reactions in patients with multiple morbidities or frailty.

If, after discussion with the patient or carer, there are good reasons for not following a guideline, it is good practice to record these and communicate them to others involved in the care of the patient.

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Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 05/06/2026

Next review date: 31/05/2028

Author(s): Frances Lowrie.

Version: 1

Approved By: Maternity Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 1282

Evidence method

Kerr, R.S., Kumar, N., Williams, M.J., Cuthbert, A., Aflaifel, N., Haas, D.M. and Weeks, A.D. (2021). Low-dose oral misoprostol for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 6, CD014484. Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014484/full (Accessed: 21 May 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021). Inducing labour (NG207). London: NICE. Available at: View NICE guideline NG207 (Accessed: 21 May 2026).

Weeks, A.D., Lightly, K., Mol, B.W., Frohlich, J., Pontefract, S. and Williams, M.J. (2022). Evaluating misoprostol and mechanical methods for induction of labour: Scientific Impact Paper No. 68. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 129(8), pp. e61–e65. Available at: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1471-0528.17136 (Accessed: 21 May 2026)