Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Sublingual Versus Oral Misoprostol for the Induction of Labor: A Randomized Open-Label Study

Introduction Misoprostol (prostaglandin E1 analog) is being used for the induction of labor by vaginal, oral, and sublingual routes. Oral misoprostol is the preferred route for induction of labor, but the use of sublingual misoprostol appears promising due to a faster onset of action. This study was done to compare the efficacy and safety of oral and sublingual misoprostol for induction of labor in term pregnancy. Materials and methods One hundred and sixty patients were randomly allocated to one of the two groups to receive 50 micrograms of oral and sublingual misoprostol four hourly for a maximum of six doses. Primigravida at 37-42 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation, Bishop score (