Generic Cytotec (Misoprostol)

General information

Cytotec (active ingredient – Misoprostol) is of antisecretory action. By binding to prostaglandin E receptors in the parietal cells of the stomach, this substance reduces the stimulated, nocturnal and basal secretion of hydrochloric acid, increases the production of mucus, bicarbonate, as well as exhibits a cytoprotective effect, improves blood flow. It promotes the healing of peptic ulcers, increases the resistance of the stomach lining to damaging factors, and prevents the appearance of erosive and ulcerative lesions. In addition, the discussed medicine causes cervical dilatation, contracture of the uterine wall smooth muscle fibers, which can lead to miscarriage.

Cytotec is prescribed in the following cases:

• a peptic ulcer;
• erosion of the digestive tract;
• interruption of pregnancy (amenorrhea within 42 days)

Precautions

This substance must never be administered in case of the following health disorders:

• allergic reaction to the drug’s components, prostaglandins, and their agents;
• as well as the age of 18 years;
• breastfeeding.

This medication is prescribed with caution in the following cases:

• diabetes;
• renal failure;
• evident disorders of the functional hepatic condition;
• high blood pressure;
• violation of cerebral circulation;
• atherosclerotic vascular disease;
• coronary heart disease;
• generalized tonic-clonic seizure;
• coronary atherome;
• coloenteritis;
• advanced age;
• stomach upset;
• disease of internal secretions;
• endocrine system disease;
• glandula suprarenalis dysfunction;
• deficiency of blood;
• hormone-dependent neoplastic disease;
• pregnancy interruption: when it is suspected an ectopic pregnancy, or intrauterine contraceptives are used (prior to medication intake, the intrauterine contraceptive device has to be taken off).

Direct contraindication to this agent intake is pregnancy and breastfeeding periods.

Cytotec (Misoprostol) Dosage

• Tablets should be taken orally, regardless of meal intake.
• This medication dose shall be determined by the attending health provider based on the diagnosis and the severity of the health disorder.
• In order to prevent the gastric ulcers, as well as for the purpose of the peptic ulcer, erosive gastritis treatment, it is usually prescribed to use 200 g x2-4 times a day (the last dose has to be taken before bedtime); daily amount of the medication usually equals to 400-800 mg.
• For the purpose of early pregnancy interruption the described medication is prescribed in the amount of 400 micrograms during 36–48 hours.

How to take Misoprostol?

Cytotec tablet is taken orally. There is a general recommendation according to which this remedy is taken directly with food, after eating or before going to bed.

Misoprostol Side-effects

Adverse reactions resulted from this remedy may lead to:

• flatulency, stomach upset;
• allergy;
• cephalgia, faintness, migraine;
• convulsions, fever;
• violation of menstruation cycle, as well as pain in the uterine colic;
• heavy hemorrhage;
• and also sterility.

For the purpose of adverse reactions prevention the patient needs to take a responsible attitude to your health, consult a doctor in time, get a qualified consultation, and proceed to immediate treatment.

Only by adhering to all the conditions, and following the precise instructions of the gynecologist, you can avoid all the negative consequences, and feel the happiness of motherhood in the near future.

Overdose

In case of overdose of the drug, the following symptoms may occur: hyperthermia, chills, shortness of breath and nausea, as well as abdominal cramps, but in parallel the patient remains active, oriented and mental alertness.

Treatment of Cytotec overdose is mainly symptomatic and supportive. In case of overdose all patients, whether pregnant or not, should be delivered to the emergency room, where cardiac monitoring can be performed, oxygen could be given or an IV drip could be used. It is necessary to find the serum electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose and creatine kinase level.

The arterial blood gas composition has to be monitored in terms of symptoms of acidosis or hypoxia. Blood levels of Misoprostol acid are difficult to fix, however this indicator is useless because it does not allow predicting the clinical course of intoxication. That is why it is required to perform gynecological investigation.

The rapid absorption of Misoprostol and the its rapid achievement of plasma concentration peak (in not longer than 30 minutes) reduces the effectiveness of procedures for emptying the stomach. However if not much time has passed since the oral intake or if there are doubts what was swallowed, emptying of the stomach may be useful. In this case the activated carbon is can be recommended, however, there are no data on its effectiveness.

Antidotes of Misoprostol are not known. Dialysis and hemoperfusion are unlikely to benefit because of the big volume of distribution. Diarrhea can relieve the psyllium colloidal agent.

Interactions

Misoprostol does not alter the toxicokinetics of ibuprofen, aspirin, or diclofenac being administered simultaneously. Apparently, it does not interfere with the metabolization of many drugs, including diazepam and propranolol, by the microsomal enzyme system of cytochrome P450 in the liver.

Long-term administration of rifampicin, isoniazid, anticonvulsant drugs, antidepressants, cimetidine, acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin and barbiturates, smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day stimulates the metabolism of Misoprostol, reducing its serum level. Within 1 week after the use of Misoprostol, you should stop taking aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is harmful to health and can cause various problems. Alcohol after a medical abortion is also no exception. Cytotec is a remedy, which is intended for early pregnancy interruption. It is strong and can affect the existing pregnancy mechanism, grossly violating it. Furthermore it has a negative impact not only on the fetus developing in the woman’s womb, but also on her entire body, causing various systemic effects. That is why drinking alcohol after a medical abortion is not recommended due to the too high risk of new problems development. An alcoholic beverage may affect medication effectiveness, for example, make its action unproductive, resulting in failed pregnancy interruption, and continues fetus development, or in an incomplete abortion. It must be remembered that no matter how benign the way to pregnancy termination, it is still a serious unnatural intervention in the woman’s body. Any abortion requires long-term recovery, and for this there must be strength that needs to be taken from somewhere. Alcohol adversely affects the health status, further weakening the body, so drinking alcohol after an pregnancy termination is not recommended. In addition it should be taken into account physiological and psychological issues of the alcohol during intake after a drug-induced abortion.

Alcoholic beverages are known as a blood vessels vasodilator, which, as a result, may increase uterine bleeding, which is a mandatory point of medical pregnancy interruption. As a result, the situation may become threatening, as increased bleeding can slow down the natural process of uterine vascular occlusion. This can lead to prolonged bleeding and massive blood loss, sometimes requiring urgent healthcare intervention.

Alcohol also reduces the effectiveness of many pharmaceutical products due to incompatibility with them, and Cytotec, which is used for pregnancy medical interruption, is no exception. The reduced pharmacological effect of this medication is fraught with incomplete pregnancy termination, which leads to such complications as prolonged bleeding, requiring surgical curettage of the uterus, or further pregnancy development.

The women’s body after an abortion is rather weakened. General health and immune system status at this moment is in a weak state, they need a certain time and energy to become stronger, to recover lost resources. Alcohol can aggravate the situation by causing many adverse reactions. Thus, the answer to the main issue whether to take alcohol during a pregnancy medical interruption is negative from a physiological point of view. However the psychological issue exists as well.

Misoprostol Reviews

Below there are reviews of this medication given by patients and doctors.

Gynecologist: I prescribe this substance for the purpose of pregnancy medical interruption. Its effectiveness is high enough, but the agent has to be taken under the strict supervision of medical specialists, because of the potential risk of adverse reactions development.

Obstetrician: Cytotec contractions the myometrium smooth muscle fibers as well as dilations the cervix. Therefore, in combination with some other remedies it is used for the purpose of the early stages pregnancy medical interruption. The medication must never be taken if there is a diagnosed severe hepatic and renal disorder, inflammatory bowel disorder. This pharmaceutical product must never be prescribed to children under 18 years. This remedy requires prescription.

Samantha: I am 40 years old. I already have two children and I did not plan to give birth to the third. However, I accidentally got pregnant. My doctor prescribed this drug for medical abortion. The action of the drug began after forty minutes. Then within a day I took two more pills. I got vaginal discharges, pain, but moderate. I was worried that everything would end in vacuum anyway. The next day I went to the ultrasound. From the moment of taking the first pill passed 36 hours the ultrasound showed that the uterus is clean. Thank God that everything went so well. I think everything is very individual.

Alina: I'm married. My husband and I are 22 years old. We do not plan children yet. However, I got pregnant, and I’m afraid to do a surgical abortion, because I think it’s unsafe. The doctor told me that there is a medical method of abortion, and it is safe enough and in the future I will be able to give birth to children. She offered me to take Cytotec according to a certain scheme. I was very afraid, but I still started taking the drug, as recommended by the doctor. During the day I needed to take three pills. After the second pill, I had rather strong abdominal pains and discharge. I was scared. Later there was a fairly large clot. I decided that this was a gestational sac. A doctor at the ultrasound confirmed my hunch and said that the uterus was clean. Everything ended well.