Arthrotec Information

Usage: Arthrotec is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Arthrotec works by reducing substances that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Misoprostol replaces protective substances in your stomach that are inhibited by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin. The combination, Arthrotec and misoprostol, is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in people at high risk for developing stomach or intestinal ulcers.

Directions: Take Arthrotec and misoprostol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. To lessen stomach upset and/or diarrhea, take Arthrotec and misoprostol with food, milk, or an aluminum or calcium antacid. Do not crush, break, or chew Arthrotec and misoprostol tablets. Swallow them whole.

Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Arthrotec and misoprostol and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea and upper abdominal tenderness, a flulike feeling, unusual fatigue, and itching; ulcers (open sores) in the mouth; rapid weight gain (fluid retention); seizures; black, bloody, or tarry stools; blood in your urine or vomit; or decreased hearing or ringing in the ears. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Arthrotec and misoprostol and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea, gaseousness, or abdominal pain; diarrhea; dizziness or headache; fatigue or weakness; dry mouth; or irregular menstrual periods. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Precautions: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Arthrotec and misoprostol may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, Arthrotec and misoprostol may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Drug Interactions: To reduce the incidence of diarrhea, do not take antacids that contain magnesium while you are taking Arthrotec and misoprostol. If you need an antacid, take one with aluminum or calcium instead of magnesium. Before taking Arthrotec and misoprostol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin); aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), choline salicylate, or magnesium salicylate (watch the aspirin content of other over-the-counter products such as cough, cold, and allergy medicines); a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or amiloride (Midamor); an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), or ramipril (Altace); a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), or carteolol (Cartrol); an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin); insulin or an oral diabetes drug such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); a steroid such as prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Prelone, others), and others; digoxin (Lanoxin); phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); tacrolimus (Prograf); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); or alcohol. You may not be able to take Arthrotec and misoprostol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Arthrotec and misoprostol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Arthrotec and misoprostol overdose are not known but might include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, tremor, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, irregular heartbeats, and slow breathing.

Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Storage: Store Arthrotec and misoprostol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.