Prostaglandin Analogues: What They Are and How They're Used in Medicine

When you hear prostaglandin analogues, synthetic versions of natural body chemicals that regulate inflammation, muscle contractions, and blood flow. Also known as PG analogs, they’re not just lab-made compounds—they’re precision tools doctors use to fix real problems like high eye pressure, stalled labor, or uncontrolled bleeding. These drugs mimic what your body naturally makes, but they’re stronger, longer-lasting, and designed for specific tasks.

One of the biggest uses? Treating glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often from too much fluid pressure inside the eye. Drugs like latanoprost and bimatoprost drop directly into the eye and help drain fluid, lowering pressure before it ruins vision. You won’t feel them working, but they’re quietly protecting your sight. They’re often the first choice because they’re effective, once-daily, and don’t cause the dry mouth or heart issues you get with older meds.

Then there’s menstrual disorders, conditions like heavy bleeding or irregular cycles that affect millions of women. Prostaglandin analogues like misoprostol can trigger contractions to clear the uterus after miscarriage or induce labor. They’re also used off-label to manage postpartum bleeding when other drugs fail. It’s not glamorous, but it saves lives.

These drugs don’t just treat one thing—they’re flexible. In surgery, they help keep blood vessels open. In gastroenterology, they protect the stomach lining from NSAID damage. Even in neonatal care, they’re used to keep a baby’s ductus arteriosus open until heart surgery can be done. The science behind them is simple: your body uses prostaglandins to send signals. These analogues just send the right signal, at the right time, in the right place.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of drug names. It’s real-world comparisons—how one prostaglandin analogue stacks up against another, how it fits into broader treatment plans, and when it’s better than the alternatives. You’ll see how these drugs connect to things like eye pressure, hormone therapy, and even pain management. No fluff. No jargon. Just clear, practical info from people who’ve seen these drugs work—or fail—in real patients.