Misoprostol Side Effects

Severe side effects of Misoprostol

• Misoprostol may cause abortion in pregnant women.
• Potentially fatal uterine rupture may result from taking Misoprostol.
• Severe gastrointestinal side effects such as stomach bleeding may occur while taking Misoprostol.

Common side effects of Misoprostol

• The most frequent side effects reported from Misoprostol users are upset stomach, gas and bloating, indigestion, loose stools, and constipation.
• Other common side effects include post menopausal bleeding and vaginal spotting.

Warnings & Recalls for Misoprostol

Black Box Warning for Misoprostol

• If Misoprostol is taken during pregnancy, it may cause an abortion or birth defects.  Misoprostol may cause uterine rupture if taken during pregnancy, especially after the eighth week of pregnancy.  Pregnant women with NSAID-related gastric ulcers should not take Misoprostol.  The physician should clearly warn the patient about the abortifacient effect of Misoprostol.

Other Warnings for Misoprostol

• Misoprostol is a pregnancy category class X drug and is extremely dangerous to take while pregnant.
• Do not take Misoprostol if you have had an allergic reaction to  prostaglandin drugs.
• Women who have undergone any uterine surgery should not take Misoprostol.
• Misoprostol is also used sometimes to induce labor and, when combined with mifepristone, can be used to end an early pregnancy (within the first trimester).

Misoprostol Treatment and Use

Misoprostol | Cytotec is a synthetic prostaglandin that is prescribed to lower the risk of NSAID-related gastric ulcers.  It is usually prescribed concurrently with non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs.  Misoprostol might be more well known for it’s off label use as an abortifacient.  Cytotec, the brand name of Misoprostol, is marketed by Pfizer (by their G.D. Searle division) and the generic form is widely manufactured.

What does Misoprostol do?

Misoprostol works to lower the amount of gastric acid that is secreted in the stomach.  This is primarily meant to counter gastric acid increase caused by Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as Advil.

Dosage

The usual dosage for reducing gastric acid from NSAID use is 200 mcg four times a day.  Misoprostol is available as 100 mcg and 200 mcg white tablets.

Other Names for Misoprostol

Brand Name

• Cytotec

Generic

• Misoprostol

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Misoprostol