Hemabate

Generic Name: carboprost
Other Brand Names: carboprost

What is carboprost?

Carboprost is a form of prostaglandin (a hormone-like substance that occurs naturally in the body). Prostaglandins help to control functions in the body such as blood pressure and muscle contractions.

Carboprost is used to treat severe bleeding after childbirth (postpartum).

Carboprost is also used to produce an abortion by causing uterine contractions. It is usually given between the 13th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, but may be given at other times for medical reasons. Carboprost is often used when another method of abortion has not completely emptied the uterus, or when a complication of pregnancy would cause the baby to be born too early to survive.

Carboprost may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carboprost?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboprost, or have certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:

  • pelvic inflammatory disease;

  • a lung disorder or breathing problem;

  • heart disease;

  • kidney disease; or

  • liver disease.

Before receiving carboprost, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • high or low blood pressure;

  • diabetes;

  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

  • any scarring in your uterus;

  • a history of asthma; or

  • a history of heart, kidney, or liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive carboprost, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

If you are receiving this medication for purposes other than abortion or postpartum bleeding, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

How should I take carboprost?

Carboprost is given as an injection into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

You may also be given medication to control nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea caused by carboprost.

To be sure this medication has been effective, your cervix (opening of the uterus) will need to be checked after the procedure. Do not miss any scheduled follow-up visits to your doctor.

In some cases, carboprost may not produce a complete abortion and the procedure must be repeated.

What happens if I miss a dose of carboprost?

Since this medication is given as needed by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

Where can I get more information about carboprost?
Your pharmacist has information about carboprost written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of carboprost?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • severe pelvic pain, cramping, or vaginal bleeding;

  • high fever;

  • feeling light-headed or short of breath;

  • severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or

  • increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).

Less serious side effects include:

  • mild fever that may come and go;

  • chills, numbness, or tingly feeling;

  • mild nausea or diarrhea;

  • cough;

  • headache;

  • breast pain or tenderness;

  • menstrual type pain; or

  • ringing in your ears.

Other side effects may also occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects.

What is the most important information I should know about carboprost?

Carboprost usually causes nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. You may be given to control these things before you are given carboprost.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboprost, or have certain conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, a breathing disorder, heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Serious side effects of carboprost may include severe pelvic cramping, vaginal bleeding, high fever, and severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Before you receive carboprost, tell your doctor if you have been treated with any other drugs that may cause contractions of the uterus. Carboprost can increase the effects of these other drugs, and they should not be used together.

Your cervix (opening of the uterus) will need to be checked after you receive carboprost. Do not miss any scheduled follow-up visits to your doctor.

In some cases, carboprost may not produce a complete abortion and the procedure must be repeated.

What should I avoid while taking carboprost?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you receive carboprost.

What other drugs will affect carboprost?

Before you receive carboprost, tell your doctor if you have been treated with any other drugs that may cause contractions of the uterus, such as:

  • dinoprostone (Prostin E2);

  • mifepristone (Mifeprex (RU-486)

  • misoprostol (Cytotec); or

  • oxytocin (Pitocin).

Carboprost can increase the effects of these other drugs, and they should not be used together.

There may be other drugs that can affect carboprost. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of carboprost?

Tell your caregivers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine. An overdose of carboprost is unlikely to occur in a hospital or clinic setting.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008