Adverse Effects of Using Misoprostol

Misoprostol is the generic name of a prescription medication. Despite its effectiveness at preventing stomach ulcers in patients being treated with drugs that irritate the digestive tract, misoprostol poses a risk of side effects in some patients.

Side Effects

• The most common side effects of misoprostol include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, headaches, indigestion, vomiting and constipation.

Significance

• Approximately 13 percent of all patients who take misoprostol develop diarrhea, while 7 percent experience abdominal pain, according to FDA clinical trials published on RxList.

Time Frame

• Diarrhea usually develops after 13 days of treatment with misoprostol and lasts for approximately eight days, reports RxList.

Risks

• When diarrhea is very severe, misoprostol poses a risk of dehydration, which can be life-threatening if not treated.

Considerations

• Misoprostol has the potential to cause miscarriages, premature labor and birth defects and is not approved for use in pregnant women. If you have a history of blood vessel disease, uncontrolled epilepsy or inflammatory bowel disease, it may not be safe for you to take misoprostol due to its potential side effects, warns the Mayo Clinic.