The most frequent adverse reactions observed with the use of dinoprostone for abortion are related to its contractile effect on smooth muscle.
In the patients studied, approximately two-thirds experienced vomiting, one-half temperature elevations, two-fifths diarrhea, one-third some nausea, one-tenth headache, and one-tenth shivering and chills.
In addition, approximately one-tenth of the patients studied exhibited transient diastolic blood pressure decreases of greater than 20 mmHg.
Two cases of myocardial infarction following the use of dinoprostone have been reported in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.
It is not known whether these events were related to the administration of dinoprostone.
Adverse effects in decreasing order of their frequency, observed with the use of dinoprostone, not all of which are clearly drug related include:
| Vomiting | Nocturnal leg cramps |
| Diarrhea | Uterine rupture |
| Nausea | Breast tenderness |
| Fever | Blurred vision |
| Headache | Coughing |
| Chills or shivering | Rash |
| Backache | Myalgia |
| Joint inflammation or | Stiff neck |
| pain new or | Dehydration |
| exacerbated | Tremor |
| Flushing or hot flashes | Paresthesia |
| Dizziness | Hearing impairment |
| Arthralgia | Urine retention |
| Vaginal pain | Pharyngitis |
| Chest pain | Laryngitis |
| Dyspnea | Diaphoresis |
| Endometritis | Eye pain |
| Syncope or fainting | Wheezing |
| sensation | Cardiac arrhythmia |
| Vaginitis or vulvitis | Skin discoloration |
| Weakness | Vaginismus |
| Muscular cramp or pain | Tension |
| Tightness in chest |