misoprostol

noun

mi·​so·​pros·​tol ˌmī-sō-ˈprä-ˌstōl How to pronounce misoprostol (audio) -ˌstȯl How to pronounce misoprostol (audio)
: a synthetic prostaglandin analog C22H38O5 used to prevent stomach ulcers associated with NSAID use and to induce abortion in conjunction with mifepristone

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Mifepristone is given first, followed by misoprostol one to two days later. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 8 Apr. 2023 Mifepristone and misoprostol together is still considered the gold standard, Aiken told CNN. Annette Choi, CNN, 15 Mar. 2023 Typically, mifepristone is taken by mouth first, followed by misoprostol a day or two later. Amanda Seitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2023 Mifepristone was first approved by the FDA in 2000 and is used with another medication called misoprostol to end a pregnancy that is less than 70 days developed. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2023 With misoprostol alone, the need for surgical intervention can rise to 15 percent, depending on the dosage. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Mar. 2023 At the time, Grant said more than 80% of carafem's clients elected to use misoprostol only when given the choice. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2023 That could include switching to a slightly less effective one-drug regimen using only misoprostol. Laura Ungar, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2023 Two other states, California and New York, have already acquired more than 400,000 doses of misoprostol, the second drug in the regimen, which can be used alone but is not as effective as the two-step approach. Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misoprostol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

miso- (perhaps from methyl + iso-) + prostaglandin + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misoprostol was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near misoprostol

Cite this Entry

“Misoprostol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misoprostol. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Medical Definition

misoprostol

noun
mi·​so·​pros·​tol ˌmī-sō-ˈpräs-ˌtōl How to pronounce misoprostol (audio) -ˌtȯl How to pronounce misoprostol (audio)
: a synthetic prostaglandin analog C22H38O5 used to prevent stomach ulcers associated with NSAID use and to induce abortion in conjunction with RU-486

More from Merriam-Webster on misoprostol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!