diclofenac and misoprostol

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: dye KLOE fen ak and mye so PROST ole

Brand: Arthrotec

Arthrotec 50 mg

slide 1 of 2, Arthrotec 50 mg,

round, white, imprinted with SEARLE 1411, AAAA 50

Image of Arthrotec 50 mg
slide 1 of 2
    

Arthrotec 75 mg

slide 2 of 2, Arthrotec 75 mg,

round, white, imprinted with SEARLE 1421, AAAA 75

Image of Arthrotec 75 mg
slide 2 of 2
    

What is the most important information I should know about diclofenac and misoprostol?

Do not use if you are pregnant. Misoprostol can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature labor, or rupture of the uterus. You must have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before you start taking diclofenac and misoprostol. You may need to start taking this medicine only on the 2nd or 3rd day of a normal menstrual period. Use effective birth control while you are using diclofenac and misoprostol.

Diclofenac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Diclofenac may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using diclofenac, especially in older adults. You should not use this medicine if you have active bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

What is diclofenac and misoprostol?

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Misoprostol reduces stomach acid and replaces protective substances in the stomach that are reduced by NSAIDs.

Diclofenac and misoprostol is a combination medicine used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers.

Diclofenac and misoprostol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diclofenac and misoprostol?

Diclofenac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine.

Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Diclofenac may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using diclofenac, especially in older adults.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to diclofenac or misoprostol, or:

  • if you have active bleeding in your stomach or intestines;
  • if you are pregnant; or
  • if you have a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure diclofenac and misoprostol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
  • a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
  • a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
  • asthma;
  • porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
  • liver or kidney disease; or
  • fluid retention.

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Diclofenac and misoprostol can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature labor, or rupture of the uterus. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

You will need to have a pregnancy test within 2 weeks before you start taking diclofenac and misoprostol. You may need to start taking this medicine only on the 2nd or 3rd day of a normal menstrual period.

It is not known whether diclofenac and misoprostol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take diclofenac and misoprostol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

Take diclofenac and misoprostol with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the pill.

Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

If you use diclofenac and misoprostol long-term, you may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking diclofenac and misoprostol?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. This medicine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the type of antacid your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb diclofenac and misoprostol.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding caused by diclofenac.

Avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to diclofenac. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

What are the possible side effects of diclofenac and misoprostol?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
  • shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
  • swelling or rapid weight gain;
  • signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • kidney problems --little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
  • low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
  • severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • abnormal vaginal bleeding;
  • heartburn, indigestion stomach pain, gas;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • diarrhea, constipation; or
  • dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect diclofenac and misoprostol?

Ask your doctor before using diclofenac and misoprostol if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with diclofenac, especially:

  • cyclosporine;
  • lithium;
  • methotrexate;
  • heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill";
  • oral diabetes medicine;
  • a blood thinner --warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • other forms of diclofenac --Cambia, Cataflam, Flector, Voltaren, Zipsor, Zorvolex;
  • other NSAIDs --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
  • steroid medicine --prednisone, dexamethasone, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diclofenac and misoprostol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about diclofenac and misoprostol.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.02. Revision date: 9/2/2015.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.