The Use of Prostaglandins

Explanation

Prostaglandins are therapeutic agents commonly used for the control and manipulation of the reproductive cycle and the treatment of reproductive disorders of pigs, cattle and horses.

Veterinarians using prostaglandins should understand their potential risks to human health and should handle, or advise handling by their clinic staff or farmer clients, in an appropriate manner.

Guidelines

1. The prescribing of prostaglandins by veterinarians must comply with the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act.
2. Prostaglandins are presently classified as PAR 1, which means they may be administered to an animal only by a veterinarian, or under and in accordance with the authority or prescription of a veterinarian following a veterinary consultation.
   1. It is recommended that, wherever practicable, prostaglandins should be administered by a veterinarian;
   2. Where it is not practicable for prostaglandins to be administered by a veterinarian, the client should be fully briefed on the safe use of the product. It is recommended that this briefing conclude with the client signing a form (see Appendix) agreeing to abide by a number of conditions as listed on the sample form.
      
      1. Records of supply of prostaglandins must be kept; and
      2. The amount of product supplied must be no more than the minimum necessary.
3. Prostaglandins currently used in veterinary medicine include naturally occurring dinoprost and the synthetic analogues etiprostin, cloprostenol, luprostiol and prostianol.  Synthetic analogues have been developed with the aim of obtaining compounds which are more stable, have a longer duration of effect and a more specific effect.  Synthetic analogues are used as luteolytic agents in veterinary medicine.
4. In human medicine, dinoprost is the main injectable form.  It is used as a uterine stimulant in obstetrics and gynaecology for the therapeutic termination of pregnancy, labour induction and/or evacuation of a third trimester pregnancy.
5. Persons handling prostaglandins should exercise extreme caution and should wear protective gloves.
6. Prostaglandins should not be handled by pregnant women, asthmatics or persons with existing respiratory conditions, hypertension, glaucoma or epilepsy.  In some animals and in humans, large doses of dinoprost can bring about an increase in blood pressure probably due to its effect on vascular smooth muscle.  Grand mal seizures have occurred rarely and may occur in persons prone to epilepsy.  Dinoprost can cause bronchoconstriction, and bronchospasm with wheezing and dyspnoea has occurred especially in asthmatic patients.
7. Severe adverse effects in humans have been attributed to inappropriate systemic absorption of prostaglandins.  When prostaglandins were injected incorrectly and reached the systemic circulation, severe headaches, nausea, anaphylaxis, peripheral vasoconstriction, hypertension, peripheral cyanosis, vomiting and abdominal pain have been described.
8. These compounds have an extremely rapid skin absorption rate and are highly irritant.  Accidental spillage on the skin or mucous membrane should be washed off immediately.
9. Should accidental inhalation or injection occur, medical advice should be sought immediately.

Policy Files: 

2g - Prostaglandins - 7Nov02.pdf

2g(i) - Prostaglandins APPENDIX - 7Nov02.pdf