Cytotec, others lead to incomplete abortions and death

Nov 08, 2011 News

Even with health officials and other bodies calling for pharmacies to only sell to persons Cytotec and other medications used to induce medical termination of pregnancy with a doctor’s prescription, some of them are not complying.
“It is no secret that Cytotec is available on the market and that only a registered medical practitioner can prescribe the pill’s usage. There is enough information to say that persons are accessing the pills without prescription.”
This is according to Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer. He stated that figures for 2011 revealed that incomplete abortion accounts for one-third of all maternal deaths. A close examination of those deaths showed that the deceased lacked knowledge and some basic information. With better midwifery advice the outcomes could have been very different.
He said that the Health Ministry has been working with the Pharmacy and Poison Board and the Food and Drug Analyst Department (FDA) to try to regulate the use of medications that induce termination, particularly Cytotec which is commonly used.
If pharmacies are found in violation of the FDA regulations they could be prosecuted. However, that has not deterred some pharmacies from selling Cytotec and other medications without prescription.
“I am sure that frequently doctors and midwives would have encountered women who used these medications and would have encountered problems. This can be prevented if we engage these women earlier and inform them of the consequences of using these medications,” Dr. Persaud stated.
Owing to the effects of Cytotec in some women, many medical practitioners are against its use without consulting a doctor.
According to a gynecologist, the pill should not be sold over the counter as it is dangerous and may cause death if used without adequate information. It was noted that women who have high blood pressure should not use the pill.
The gynecologist pointed out that some women drink the pill, insert two pills, or drink one and insert two. Whichever way it is used, the pill causes excessive bleeding. It was explained that Cytotec causes the uterus mouth to open wide. Contractions push the blood out. In some cases the fetus remains in the womb even though the woman would have bled for several days. This is life threatening.
The excessive bleeding also causes some women to go into shocks. This is because blood which is needed to go to the brain and heart is not there owing to the excessive bleeding, resulting in respiratory distress.
Sometimes the woman may stop bleeding but reproductive materials remain inside the body inducing septicemia septic. This infection is deadly.
The gynecologist noted that preventive measures are necessary before the women purchase the pill without prescription.
Dr. Persaud stressed that, “We need to engage young people on the issue of reproductive health that does not centre on offering contraceptives. Some persons need in-depth information on the reproductive health process.”

2 thoughts on “Cytotec, others lead to incomplete abortions and death”

Karen November 8, 2011 at 1:25 pm

I always praise the health care system here in Germany,I wish one day Guyana could at least come 50 % close .99% of the time there is a limit to what you can buy on the counter at the pharmacy, other than that you have to get a prescription from a doctor even for a pain tablet.I would not even bother to tell you how strict they are when it comes to treating kids,you dear not go to the pharmacy for advise or even to buy something for a kid even when they have a cold ,they always refer you to a doctor.
Deanna Manbodh November 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm

reasons why education is power. know what you’re taking and all the effects before doing so.