Uses
Suppose you have a history of stomach ulcers or are at risk of developing them. In that case, your doctor may prescribe this medication alongside nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
Misoprostol can lessen the likelihood of fatal ulcer complications like bleeding. This medication helps to prevent damage to the stomach lining by decreasing the amount of acid that reaches the lining. This medication is often used in tandem with another (mifepristone) to terminate a pregnancy.
How to use Cytotec
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Please consult your physician, nurse, or pharmacist with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this medication.
Your condition and response to treatment will determine your dosage.
If prescribed this medication to prevent stomach ulcers, it should be taken orally four times daily, preferably before bed and after a meal. This will help keep diarrhea to a minimum.
Take this medication by mouth exactly as prescribed if you are taking it for an abortion.
Your healthcare provider will vaginally insert this medication if you use it to induce labor.
If you’re taking misoprostol and experiencing diarrhea, you shouldn’t take any antacids containing magnesium. Discuss your options with your primary care physician or local pharmacist if you think you might benefit from taking an antacid.
If you’re taking NSAIDs and want to avoid ulcers, you should keep taking this medication. Maintain a consistent schedule of taking this medication for the best results. Keep regular use times in mind.
You should see a doctor if your symptoms don’t improve or linger.
Side Effects
There’s a possibility of feeling sick or having stomach pain. Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if these symptoms persist or worsen.
Always remember that your doctor has given this medication after carefully weighing the benefits and risks of giving it to you. Many persons who take this medication do not experience any significant adverse effects.
Misoprostol frequently causes diarrhea, which typically sets in two weeks after you begin taking it and lasts for a week. To avoid dehydration, keep up your normal fluid and mineral/electrolyte consumption. Persistent diarrhea can deplete your body with essential fluids and minerals. See a doctor immediately if you experience severe dizziness, decreased urine, mental/mood problems, muscle weakness, or slow/irregular heartbeat.
Menstrual issues, irregular periods, or unusually severe vaginal bleeding are rare but dangerous adverse effects.
It is improbable that this medication would cause a life-threatening allergic reaction, but if one does occur, get medical help immediately. Rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, and problems breathing are all possible signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Precautions
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to misoprostol or have any other allergies before using this medication. This product’s inactive chemicals may trigger allergic reactions or other health issues. For more information, consult your pharmacy.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist your complete medical history, paying specific attention to stomach/intestinal condition, before using this medication (such as inflammatory bowel disease).
The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may increase with the regular use of alcohol and tobacco. Cut back on the booze and put down the cigarette. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you want more information on this subject.
When used with mifepristone to terminate a pregnancy, this medicine may rarely result in an incomplete abortion. You must keep all of your doctor’s appointments so he or she can track your progress. Thanks to the doctor’s explicit instructions, you should thoroughly understand who to contact and what to do in an emergency. Expect vaginal bleeding after taking the combined medication, but notify your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as severe or prolonged bleeding or signs of illness (including fever, chills, or fainting).
As this medication may cause harm to an unborn child, it should not be taken during pregnancy to prevent stomach ulcers (see also Warnings). Suppose you are a woman of reproductive age. In that case, you should use two forms of reliable contraception during your treatment with misoprostol and for at least a month after you stop taking the medication. Tell your doctor immediately if you get pregnant or believe you might be pregnant.
The medication is detectable in breast milk. A nursing newborn is probably safe to be around this medication. You should consult a physician before beginning to breastfeed your child.
Interactions
The effectiveness of your prescriptions could be altered, and you could be at greater risk for adverse effects if they combine with other medications. This does not include all possible medication interactions; please consult your doctor for a complete list.
Share anything you put into your body with your doctor and pharmacist, from vitamins and supplements to over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. If your doctor has not given you the go-light to start, stop, or adjust the amount of any drug, do not do so.
Overdose
In the event of a severe overdose characterized by symptoms such as loss of consciousness or difficulty breathing, 911 should be called immediately. Alternatively, get in touch with a poison control center directly. To reach a poison control center in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Calling a provincial poison control center in Canada is an option. Drowsiness, convulsions, extreme dizziness, and slow/irregular heartbeats are all possible side effects of taking too much medication.
- Notes
You are the only person who should use this medication.
- Missed Dose
As soon as it is remembered, a missed dose should be administered as quickly as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, don’t take the one you missed. The following amount should be taken at the usual time. Don’t try to make up for a lost time by taking twice as much.
- Storage
Keep out of the reach of light and moisture and at a temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) or lower. Keeping them in the bathroom is a no-no. Always store medications where children and dogs cannot get to them.
Unless otherwise directed, never dispose of medicine by flushing it down the toilet or pouring it down the sink drain. When this item is no longer needed or has expired, please dispose of it properly. Contact your local pharmacy or waste management facility for additional information on properly disposing your product.
