What is the most important information I should know about misoprostol?
Do not take misoprostol for the prevention of
stomach ulcers if you are
pregnant or if you might become pregnant during treatment. If you do become pregnant during
treatment with misoprostol, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.
Misoprostol is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that misoprostol is known to be harmful
to an unborn baby. Misoprostol can cause miscarriage or
spontaneous abortion (sometimes incomplete
which could lead to dangerous bleeding and require
hospitalization and surgery),
premature birth, or
birth defects. Misoprostol has also been reported to cause uterine rupture (tearing) when given after the
eighth week of pregnancy, which can result in severe bleeding,
hysterectomy, and/or maternal or
fetal
death. A
pregnancy test with negative results will be required within 2 weeks of starting treatment with
misoprostol, and treatment will begin only on the second or third day of a regular menstrual cycle. Also,
appropriate
contraception will be needed to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for one menstrual
cycle following treatment. In some cases, misoprostol may be used under the supervision of a doctor
for the
induction of labor and delivery or abortion.
Do not share this medication with anyone else. Misoprostol has been prescribed for your
specific condition, may not be the correct treatment for another person, and would be dangerous if the
other person were pregnant.
What is misoprostol?
Misoprostol reduces stomach acid and replaces protective substances in the stomach that are
inhibited by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin.
Misoprostol is used to prevent the formation of ulcers in the stomach during treatment with
aspirin or an NSAID such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis
KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin
(Indocin), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), piroxicam (Feldene), meloxicam
(Mobic), tolmetin (Tolectin), nabumetone (Relafen), and fenoprofen (Nalfon). NSAIDs and aspirin are
used to treat pain, fever, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions.
Misoprostol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Print
Email
Save
FDA Alerts
Media Gallery
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
