Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Cytotec

Descriptions


Misoprostol is used to decrease the risk of having stomach ulcers in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin. This medicine works by helping the stomach protect itself against acid damage, and decreases the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of misoprostol in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of misoprostol in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Phenylbutazone

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Cesarean section, history of or
  • Later part of the pregnancy or
  • Uterine surgery, history of—Use with caution. May increased risk of uterine rupture.
  • Dehydration or
  • Heart or blood vessel problems or
  • Inflammatory bowel disease or
  • Stomach ulcers, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of the slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than ordered by your doctor. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take this medicine with food to prevent diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.

Do not give this medicine to another person.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • To prevent stomach ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs:
      • Adults—200 micrograms (mcg) 4 times a day. Other patients may need 100 mcg 4 times a day. Take the last dose of the day at bedtime.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This medicine can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or birth defects if taken during pregnancy. You will need to have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before you start using this medicine. Avoid pregnancy for at least 1 month or through 1 menstrual cycle after you stop using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Begin using this medicine on the 2nd or 3rd day of your next monthly period. This is to make sure you are not pregnant.

This medicine may cause uterine rupture. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased or continuing vaginal bleeding or severe pelvic or stomach pain.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea in some people. These effects will usually disappear within a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the diarrhea, cramps, or nausea is severe or does not stop after a week. Your doctor may have to lower the dose of misoprostol you are taking.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

  1. Cramps
  2. heavy bleeding
  3. painful menstruation

Incidence not known

  1. Bladder pain
  2. bloody nose
  3. bloody or black, tarry stools
  4. bloody or cloudy urine
  5. blurred vision
  6. body aches or pain
  7. chest pain or tightness
  8. chills
  9. confusion
  10. constipation
  11. cough
  12. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  13. difficulty with moving
  14. difficulty with swallowing
  15. dizziness
  16. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  17. ear congestion
  18. feeling unusually cold
  19. fever
  20. frequent urge to urinate
  21. headache
  22. hives, itching, or skin rash
  23. joint pain
  24. loss of voice
  25. lower back or side pain
  26. muscle pain or stiffness
  27. nervousness
  28. pale skin
  29. pounding in the ears
  30. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  31. severe stomach pain
  32. shivering
  33. slow or fast heartbeat
  34. sneezing
  35. sore throat
  36. stuffy or runny nose
  37. sweating
  38. trouble breathing
  39. unusual bleeding or bruising
  40. unusual tiredness or weakness
  41. vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Diarrhea
  2. stomach pain

Less common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. belching
  3. bloated
  4. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  5. full feeling
  6. heartburn
  7. indigestion
  8. passing gas
  9. stomach discomfort or upset

Incidence not known

  1. Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
  2. breast pain
  3. burning, dry, or itching eyes
  4. change in taste
  5. continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  6. cracked, dry, scaly skin
  7. depression
  8. discharge, excessive tearing
  9. hair loss or thinning of the hair
  10. hearing loss
  11. lack or loss of strength
  12. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
  13. weight changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Aug. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/drugs-supplements/misoprostol-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20064805