Safety/Efficacy Study Comparing the Misoprostol Vaginal Insert to Cervidil for Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor

A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind Phase III Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the Misoprostol Vaginal Insert Compared to Cervidil for Women Requiring Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor (The MVP Study).

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the misoprostol vaginal insert (50 mcg and 100 mcg) can safely and effectively speed time to vaginal delivery compared to Cervidil (R) in women who need to have cervical ripneing and induction of labor.

Induction of labor is required in approximately 20% of pregnant women. Although contractions can be brought on by oxytocin ("pitocin"), some women need help in softening the cervix, or mouth of the womb (uterus), before oxytocin can be started. Prostaglandins have been shown to ripen, or soften, the cervix; at present, the only prostaglandin approved for marketing by FDA for this purpose is dinoprostone. Dinoprostone can be delivered in several ways; one method is to use a polymer vaginal insert that slowly releases the dinoprostone directly to the cervical tissues. This product is called Cervidil (R) and has been marketed for more than 10 years in the United States. Misoprostol is another form of prostaglandin that is approved for protecting the stomach and intestinal lining for patients taking NSAIDs. Misoprostol has also been used by many obstetricians for cervical ripening and inducing contractions, but, it is not approved by FDA for this purpose.

The same company that makes the Cervidil polymer insert has made an insert that will slowly release misoprostol. This study will determine whether this investigational insert containing misoprostol will decrease time to vaginal delivery compared to Cervidil. Two different doses of misoprostol will be tested (50 micrograms and 100 micrograms); each vaginal insert will gradually release a small, controlled amount of misoprostol over up to 24 hours.

Comparator: The Cervidil (R) vaginal insert containing dinoprostone will be the comparator in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women at least 36 weeks gestation requiring cervical ripening and induction of labor

Exclusion Criteria:

• No uterine scar (no previous delivery by cesarean section)
• No multiple gestation
• No condition that disallows use of prostaglandins for induction of labor
• No more than 3 previous vaginal births beyond 24 weeks gestation