A 28-year-old woman develops atonic PPH after vaginal delivery. She has received oxytocin infusion and one dose of carboprost (250 mcg IM) but bleeding continues. The obstetrician decides to administer a second dose of carboprost. What is the minimum recommended interval between two doses of carboprost, and what is the maximum total dose?

• A 15 minutes interval, maximum 4 mg total
• B 30 minutes interval, maximum 4 mg total
• C 15 minutes interval, maximum 2 mg total ✓
• D 30 minutes interval, maximum 2 mg total

Explanation

Carboprost 250 mcg is given intramuscularly every 15 minutes as needed, with a maximum total dose of 2 mg (that is, 8 doses). This interval and maximum are well established in standard obstetric texts. Exceeding this dose increases the risk of adverse effects such as bronchospasm, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disturbance without additional uterotonic benefit.

Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.