Misoprostol

1 medicine

Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, so it must never be used in pregnancy for stomach protection and can trigger miscarriage or birth defects if taken by mistake; under medical supervision it induces labor, manages miscarriage, controls postpartum bleeding, and prevents NSAID-related ulcers.

Cytotec

Misoprostol

100/200mcg

Cytotec is a digestive health medication containing Misoprostol, available as 100/200mcg tablets.

from $0.91 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin. It protects the stomach lining from NSAID-induced ulcers and, in specific medical settings, causes the uterus to contract.
  • Its single most important safety fact: misoprostol causes uterine contractions and is contraindicated in pregnancy, except when a doctor uses it deliberately for labor induction, pregnancy termination, or postpartum bleeding control.
  • Before you use misoprostol for stomach protection, your prescriber must confirm you are not pregnant, since accidental use during an ongoing pregnancy can cause miscarriage or birth defects.
  • Seek urgent care for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or fever with foul-smelling discharge.

What Misoprostol treats

Misoprostol prevents stomach ulcers in people who need long-term NSAID treatment. Under obstetric supervision, it induces labor, treats a missed or incomplete miscarriage, ends an early pregnancy in combination with mifepristone, and treats or prevents heavy bleeding after childbirth. It is also used before some gynecological procedures to soften and open the cervix.

How Misoprostol works

Misoprostol mimics a natural prostaglandin. In the stomach, it increases mucus and bicarbonate production and lowers acid output, forming a protective barrier over the lining. In the uterus, it binds prostaglandin receptors on smooth muscle, causing the muscle fibers to contract, which can soften and open the cervix or trigger labor-like contractions.

Before you take it

  • Do not take misoprostol for stomach protection unless pregnancy has been ruled out first. It is a well-documented cause of miscarriage and birth defects when taken unknowingly during pregnancy.
  • Avoid it if you have a known allergy to prostaglandins.
  • Tell your prescriber about asthma, glaucoma, or inflammatory bowel disease, and about any other medicine that also affects the uterus, such as oxytocin.
  • When used for labor, miscarriage, or bleeding control, dosing and timing follow a clinician's protocol. Do not adjust the dose or schedule yourself.

Side effects

Common effects include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, and mild fever or chills, most often at the higher doses used for obstetric purposes.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding.
  • Severe abdominal pain.
  • Fever with chills or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
  • Signs that a miscarriage has not fully resolved, such as persistent bleeding or pain.

Safety essentials

  • Uterine contractions are misoprostol's defining effect. Never take it during pregnancy unless a doctor has prescribed it for a specific obstetric reason and is monitoring you closely.
  • If you take misoprostol long-term for stomach protection, tell every prescriber if you could become pregnant. Accidental exposure in early pregnancy is a confirmed cause of miscarriage and congenital abnormalities.
  • Do not share tablets or use leftover doses for a different purpose. The dose and safety profile differ sharply between stomach protection and obstetric use.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.