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.
When used without mifepristone, a higher dose of misoprostol must be used. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 May 2026 When Waldorf arrived at the Kansas hospital, she was given misoprostol to induce labor. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 The bill also prevents the addition of estrogen, mifepristone, and misoprostol — the latter two of which are used to end pregnancies early — to the monitoring program. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 June 2026 To date, however, the only regimen with comparable efficacy requires dosing the letrozole in three separate doses over three days, followed by misoprostol. — Christine Henneberg, STAT, 15 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

misophonia
misoprostol
misorder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misoprostol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misoprostol. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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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