carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate)

Carboprost (Hemabate) is a man-made oxytocic medication that mimics the action of a naturally occurring chemical called prostaglandin F2 alpha. It treats bleeding in new mothers immediately after delivery.

Is carboprost tromethamine available as a generic drug?

No

Carboprost is used to abort pregnancy during the second trimester and to treat uterine bleeding after delivery.

Common side effects of carboprost are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Flushing

It also may cause:

• Endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus)
• Retained placental fragments
• Excessive uterine bleeding

Hypersensitivity with allergic reactions may occur. Therefore, patients must be under medical supervision while carboprost is being administered.

• Termination of pregnancy, during second trimester: Inject 250 mcg (1 ml) intramuscularly, then administer 250 mcg (1 ml) to 500 mcg (2 ml) every 1.5 to 3.5 hours based on patient response. The total dose should not exceed 12 mg.
• Postpartum hemorrhage: Inject 250 mcg (1 ml) intramuscularly; repeat every 15 to 90 minutes as needed. The total dose should not exceed 2 mg.

Carboprost should not be administered with oxytocin (Pitocin) because both medications work similarly. Oxytocin also induces contractions during labor; therefore, use of both medications is not recommended.

It should be used only for termination of pregnancy and to treat hemorrhage after delivery.

It is not known whether carboprost is excreted in breast milk.

What preparations of carboprost tromethamine are available?

Injectable: 250 mcg/ml

How should I keep carboprost tromethamine stored?

Carboprost injectable should be refrigerated at 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F).

How does carboprost tromethamine work?

Oxytocic medications have the effects of oxytocin, which causes contractions during labor and controls bleeding after childbirth. Carboprost works on prostaglandin F receptor sites in uterine muscle to increase contractions and induce labor. It is used to terminate pregnancies and control uterine bleeding.

When was carboprost tromethamine approved by the FDA?

The FDA approved carboprost tromethamine in January 1979.