Misoprostol (Cytotec®) is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog that has been marketed in the United States since 1988 as a gastric cytoprotective agent. Despite a focused campaign by the manufacturer to curtail its use in obstetric practice, misoprostol has, over the past several years, gained widespread acceptance to effect the medical termination of pregnancy in the second trimester, either alone or after pretreatment with mifepristone. The primary reasons for this prompt incorporation into standard practice include its low cost and the lack of stringent storage requirements.