Misoprostol
Also sold as: Cytotec, Misotac
Prescription neededPregnancy and birth (hospital use)
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Use only as directed by a doctor or trained midwife. To prevent bleeding after birth when oxytocin is not available: 600 micrograms by mouth once, right after the baby is born. Never take it during pregnancy unless prescribed.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- shivering
- fever for a few hours
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- stomach cramps
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- very heavy bleeding
- high fever lasting more than a day
- severe abdominal pain
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Pregnancy, unless prescribed by a doctor for a specific reason — it can cause miscarriage or uterine rupture
- Previous caesarean or uterine surgery (only under a doctor)
- Allergy to prostaglandins
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Oxytocin
Using both during labour can cause excessive contractions; they are combined only under close monitoring.
Minor1 medicineUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium-containing antacids can make misoprostol diarrhoea worse.