What it means
The body makes prostaglandins where they are needed. They cause pain, fever and inflammation, protect the stomach lining, help the kidneys' blood flow and make the uterus contract. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugnon-STAIR-oy-dul an-tee-in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee DRUGA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.non- notanti- againstinflamm/o inflammationFull entry s work by blocking their production, which is also why NSAIDs can harm the stomach and kidneys. Prostaglandin drugs include misoprostol (stomach protection and labor), dinoprostone (to soften the cervix before labor), alprostadil (to keep a newborn's ductus arteriosus open) and latanoprost eye drops for glaucoma.
For the nurse
When prostaglandins are used to ripen the cervix, monitor the fetal heart rate and contractions closely and report contractions that come too often or last too long. Misoprostol can cause miscarriage, so it is not used for stomach protection in pregnancy.
At a glance
| Drug class | prostaglandin (prostaglandin analog) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Cytotec (misoprostol), Cervidil and Prepidil (dinoprostone), Xalatan (latanoprost) |
| Spanish | prostaglandina |
| Also written | prostaglandins |
Related terms
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
A drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
uterine contraction
A tightening and then relaxing of the muscle of the uterus (womb), as happens during labor.
glaucoma
An eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, usually with raised pressure inside the eye, leading to loss of vision.
labor
The process of childbirth, from the start of regular contractions that open the cervix to the delivery of the baby and placenta.