MISOPROSTOL

Brand & Generic Names

Cytotec

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiulcer

Uses

Prevents development of stomach ulcers in persons taking non- steroidal, anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIAs), including aspirin.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

When to take:
Usually 4 times a day while awake, with or after meals and at bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Improves defense against peptic ulcers by strengthening natural defenses of the stomach lining.
Decreases stomach acid production.

Time lapse before drug works:
10 to 15 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Infrequent:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Constipation, headache.

Rare:

• Gaseousness.
• Vaginal bleeding.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any prostaglandin.
• You are pregnant or of child-bearing age.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have epilepsy.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have blood vessel disease of any kind.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:

• Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
• May also lead to serious complications in pregnant women, including excessive bleeding and future infertility.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children under 18.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check gastric analysis.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel confused, drowsy or dizzy.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:
Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*,	Severe diarrhea.
magnesium-containing

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreases misoprostol effect.
	Avoid.
Caffeine-containing.	Decreases misoprostol effect.
	Avoid.
Cocaine:	Decreases misoprostol effect.
	Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Decreases misoprostol effect.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Decreases misoprostol effect.
	Avoid.