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

Examples of misoprostol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In some cases, women must buy the medication themselves, which can cost around 170,000 Argentine pesos for both drugs (roughly $160, according to the official exchange rate) or 100,000 pesos for misoprostol alone ($90). — Anita Pouchard Serra & Natalie Alcoba, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says there is decades of evidence that mifepristone and misoprostol are safe and effective. — Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 People don’t realize how much that combination of mifepristone and misoprostol has been the method of choice for many women and for many reasons. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2025 While some medications, such as misoprostol, are commonly used for other purposes, including induction of labor or treatment of miscarriage, those uses would not be covered. — Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for misoprostol

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

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misoprostol
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“Misoprostol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misoprostol. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misoprostol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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