# Dinoprostone

Drug · id `maternal:dinoprostone` · Maternal & Newborn Atlas · release `c7fb95f1d15a7d13` (public)

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Browse, life stage: Childbirth  
Browse, care area: Labour and birth  

## In plain language

Dinoprostone is a prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance that the body makes in late pregnancy and that helps the cervix soften and open before labour. As a medicine it is placed in the vagina to ripen the cervix before labour is induced.

## Technical summary

Drug, level substance. RxCUI 3478 (RxNav name dinoprostone, term type IN) and UNII K7Q1JQR04M from the openFDA approved-drugs record for Cervidil. The US Cervidil label calls dinoprostone a prostaglandin analog (prostaglandin E2) and says that in pregnancy it plays an important role in the final events leading to the start of labour, including cervical ripening. Only the Cervidil vaginal insert was read; other dinoprostone products and routes were not. No clinical claim sits on this page.

## Connected pages

- Prostaglandin used to ripen the cervix before induction: Induction of labour (`maternal:induction-of-labour`)
- Filed under this front: Medicines and vaccines (`maternal:front-medicines-and-vaccines`)
- Contained in: Cervidil (dinoprostone vaginal insert) (`maternal:cervidil`)

## Provenance

Content hash: 340c6fc5581c14914ce8286cda39332d3162b7edd1a444b76154709879078cfd
Last substantive edit: 2026-10-14
Evidence last checked: 2026-10-14