Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Hemabate

Generic Name: carboprost (Pronunciation: KAR boe prost)

• What is carboprost (Hemabate)?
• What are the possible side effects of carboprost (Hemabate)?
• What is the most important information I should know about carboprost (Hemabate)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving carboprost (Hemabate)?
• How is carboprost given (Hemabate)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Hemabate)?
• What happens if I overdose (Hemabate)?
• What should I avoid while receiving carboprost (Hemabate)?
• What other drugs will affect carboprost (Hemabate)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is carboprost (Hemabate)?

Carboprost is a form of prostaglandin (a hormone-like substance that occurs naturally in the body). Prostaglandins help to control functions in the body such as blood pressure and muscle contractions.

Carboprost is used to treat severe bleeding after childbirth (postpartum).

Carboprost is also used to produce an abortion by causing uterine contractions. It is usually given between the 13th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, but may be given at other times for medical reasons. Carboprost is often used when another method of abortion has not completely emptied the uterus, or when a complication of pregnancy would cause the baby to be born too early to survive.

Carboprost may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of carboprost (Hemabate)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe pelvic pain, cramping, or vaginal bleeding;
• high fever;
• feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).

Less serious side effects include:

• mild fever that may come and go;
• chills, numbness, or tingly feeling;
• mild nausea or diarrhea;
• cough;
• headache;
• breast pain or tenderness;
• menstrual type pain; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about carboprost (Hemabate)?

Carboprost usually causes nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. You may be given to control these things before you are given carboprost.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboprost, or have certain conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, a breathing disorder, heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Serious side effects of carboprost may include severe pelvic cramping, vaginal bleeding, high fever, and severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Before you receive carboprost, tell your doctor if you have been treated with any other drugs that may cause contractions of the uterus. Carboprost can increase the effects of these other drugs, and they should not be used together.

Your cervix (opening of the uterus) will need to be checked after you receive carboprost. Do not miss any scheduled follow-up visits to your doctor.

In some cases, carboprost may not produce a complete abortion and the procedure must be repeated.

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