This article describes possible side effects of misoprostol oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for misoprostol. You can explore this overview article to learn more about misoprostol oral tablet, including the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Misoprostol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Cytotec.
Boxed warning: Risk of harm if taken during pregnancy
Misoprostol has a boxed warning for the risk of harm if taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Warnings for misoprostol” section below.
More common side effects of misoprostol
Misoprostol oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of misoprostol oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of misoprostol in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of misoprostol
Misoprostol may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of misoprostol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of misoprostol in detail” section below.
Misoprostol oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of misoprostol
Misoprostol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from misoprostol oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with misoprostol.
Serious side effects of misoprostol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* Misoprostol oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Warnings for misoprostol” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of misoprostol in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of misoprostol
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of misoprostol oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can misoprostol be prescribed to induce a medical abortion? If so, when taken for this purpose, can the drug cause vaginal side effects?
Misoprostol may be prescribed off-label to induce a medical abortion. “Off-label” is when a drug is prescribed for something it’s not approved for. A medical abortion is when medication is prescribed to end a pregnancy.
Keep in mind that misoprostol has a boxed warning for a risk of harm if taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Warnings for misoprostol” section below.
If you have questions about taking misoprostol for a medical abortion, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about possible side effects of taking the drug for this purpose.
Does misoprostol cause long-term side effects?
It’s not thought to. Long-term side effects weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of misoprostol may last.
How long do side effects of misoprostol usually last?
It depends. In studies of misoprostol, diarrhea* was a side effect that usually lasted about 8 days. But in some cases, diarrhea was severe and caused people to stop taking the drug.
Keep in mind that side effects can vary from person to person for any drug. And not everyone who takes misoprostol oral tablet will have side effects.
To find out more about how long side effects of misoprostol can last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of misoprostol in detail” section below.
Coupon for misoprostol
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for misoprostol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of misoprostol in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of misoprostol oral tablet.
Diarrhea
In studies, diarrhea was common in people taking misoprostol oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild, but can be serious if it leads to dehydration. (With dehydration, you have a low fluid level in your body.)
With diarrhea, you have more frequent bowel movements than usual. Symptoms may include:
- abdominal cramps
- loose stools
- passing gas
- nausea or feeling sick to your stomach
- dehydration if diarrhea is severe and lasts several days
Certain factors can increase the risk of diarrhea with misoprostol oral tablet. These include certain foods or drinks as well as other medications you may take.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of diarrhea, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend eating a bland diet, such as toast, applesauce, rice, and bananas, and making sure you drink enough fluids. They may also recommend medications to treat diarrhea.
If your diarrhea becomes severe, your doctor may recommend that you get treatment at a hospital with intravenous (IV) fluids. (These are fluids given into a vein over time.)
Spotting between periods
In studies, spotting between periods was rare in people taking misoprostol oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
With spotting between periods, you have light bleeding when you aren’t having your period. Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding that’s dark red or brown. It is usually lighter than a period and lasts for 1–2 days.
Certain factors can increase the risk of spotting with misoprostol oral tablet. These include changes in your hormone levels, other medications you may take, and other medical conditions you may have.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about spotting between periods, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect.
Headache
In studies, headache was common in people taking misoprostol oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
With headache, you have pain in your head. Symptoms may include:
- a squeezing feeling around your forehead
- pain above your eyes
- pain in the back of your head or neck
Certain factors can increase the risk of headache with misoprostol oral tablet. These include other medications you may take or other medical conditions you have.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of headache, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to manage this side effect, such as relaxation, hot or cold packs, or over-the-counter medications.
Allergic reaction
For some people, misoprostol oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was rarely reported in the drug’s studies. Misoprostol should not be taken by anyone with an allergy to prostaglandins.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to misoprostol oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for misoprostol
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking misoprostol oral tablet.
Boxed warning: Risk of harm if taken during pregnancy
Misoprostol has a boxed warning for the risk of harm if taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Misoprostol and pregnancy” section below.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take misoprostol oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether misoprostol oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking misoprostol oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health. Things to consider include:
Misoprostol and pregnancy
Misoprostol oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Risk of harm if taken during pregnancy
Misoprostol carries a boxed warning about the risk of pregnancy loss, rupture of the uterus, and premature birth if taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Your doctor will order a pregnancy test and recommend reliable birth control options to use during treatment with misoprostol. You’ll also receive written information about the risks of misoprostol and pregnancy. Because of this risk, you should not share misoprostol tablets with anyone else.
Misoprostol and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether misoprostol oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Misoprostol and alcohol
Misoprostol oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, drinking alcohol can make stomach ulcers worse. And misoprostol is prescribed to help prevent stomach ulcers.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with misoprostol oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of misoprostol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of diarrhea depend on the misoprostol dosage I’m prescribed?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than others?
- Is my risk of headache higher when I first start treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
