Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: MISOPROSTOL - ORAL (my-so-PROST-ohl)
BRAND NAME(S): Cytotec
Warning | Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
WARNING: Do not take this medication if you think that you may be pregnant. It may cause abortion, premature birth, or birth defects. In rare cases, serious complications (e.g., uterine rupture) have occurred when misoprostol was used to start labor or when used in combination with another drug to cause abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy. These complications have resulted in harm to the fetus and mother. Avoid pregnancy while taking misoprostol and for at least one month or one completed menstrual cycle after you have stopped treatment. If you become pregnant while taking misoprostol, contact your doctor immediately. If you are pregnant, do not take this medication to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers due to aspirin or other related drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen). Also, if you are of childbearing age, do not use this drug to reduce the risk of ulcers from NSAIDs unless you are at high risk of having an ulcer or ulcer complications. Female patients must meet the following four requirements in order to use this drug: 1) test negative for pregnancy within two weeks before starting treatment; 2) use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy; 3) receive oral and written warnings on the dangers of using misoprostol while of childbearing age and the risks of possible birth control failure; 4) start taking misoprostol only on the second or third day of the next normal menstrual period. This medication must not be shared with others.
USES: This medication is used to prevent stomach ulcers while you take NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), especially if you are at risk for developing ulcers or have a history of ulcers. Misoprostol helps to decrease your risk of serious ulcer complications such as bleeding. This medication protects your stomach lining by lowering the amount of acid that comes in contact with it. This medication is also used in combination with another drug (mifepristone) to end a pregnancy (abortion).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).
- diclofenac and misoprostol, Arthrotec - Arthrotec is a combination of diclofenac and misoprostol. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to ibuprofen (Motrin; Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn), and others. Arthrotec is used for treating signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in patients at risk for developing ulcers from NSAIDs.
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