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Cytotec (misoprostol) is an interesting medication with several primary uses, including inducing labor, inducing abortion, stopping postpartum bleeding, and to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

The medication comes in tablets, usually in 100 mcg or 200 mcg doses. Cytotec should not be used without explicit doctor approval in any scenario involving a wanted pregnancy, as it will likely cause birth defects and may induce an abortion.

In trials, the only side effect that occurred with lower doses (such as for ulcer prevention or treatment) was diarrhea. Other symptoms did occur---abdominal discomfort, headache, and so forth---but not at greater rates than placebo.

At higher doses (such as inducing labor or abortion), fever will most likely occur. It is unlikely to be severe enough to cause damage, but it is possible. Patients are advised to not take multiple, high doses alone if at all possible.

Preventing & Treating Ulcers

Cytotec can both heal and prevent ulcers. By far its most common use is to prevent ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and is most commonly given to those at increased risk of NSAID-induced ulcers, such as those with a history of ulcers or elderly patients.

In at-risk patients taking prescription NSAIDs Cytotec will likely be prescribed along with the NSAID. Treatment typically lasts as long as NSAID use, and is very similar in the majority of cases:

• Take 200 mg 4 times per day (total of 800 mg per day).
• If side effects develop, dosage may be reduced to 100 mg 4 times per day (total of 400 mg per day).
• Cytotec should always be taken with food.

If diarrhea becomes problematic, dosage may be reduced. Likewise a doctor may be able to suggest another medication to reduce diarrhea. Other medications, such as omeprazole, may be tried instead if those fail to work.

Inducing Labor

If labor is being induced, it is almost always done in a healthcare setting and medical professionals will handle dosage and administration.

Tablets may be swallowed or a vaginal insert may be administered. It is often used along with oxytocin, which is the standard labor-inducing agent, but which does not cause the cervix to ripen or thin. Cytotec does cause cervical ripening, and may also be used on its own to induce labor.

Postpartum Bleeding

Both Cytotec and oxytocin are commonly used to prevent or treat postpartum bleeding. Cytotec is as useful as oxytocin, but provides a number of advantages; it is less costly, less likely to produce side effects, does not need to be refrigerated, and does not require injections.

Cytotec is administered by mouth or as an anal suppository. It has been shown to reduce maternal death due to postpartum bleeding by nearly 40%.

Abortion

This is a controversial use for this medication. While it can be used to help complete a spontaneous miscarriage, Cytotec is more commonly used to induce abortion of an otherwise healthy fetus. It is considered a medical abortion, considerably less invasive than a surgical abortion.

Cytotec is effective on its own for this purpose, but if they're available it is usually paired with mifepristone or methotrexate.

If seeking abortion through a doctor or healthcare setting, dosage and administration guidelines will be given. Many women seeking abortions do not have access to legal means of acquiring one, or are too afraid to come forward. These women may attempt an abortion on their own. The World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous other websites provide detailed instructions for Cyctotec-induced abortions, with or without other medications.

Those unwilling or unable to come forward to medical professionals are advised to not attempt to induce an abortion on their own; a close friend or family member will ideally be present in case something goes wrong. Also, ideally, before attempting to induce abortion the patient will have verified that she is in fact pregnant and that there are no major issues with the pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy.

On its own Cytotec is effective about 88% of the time; with mifepristone or methotrexate about 95% of the time. If the first attempt fails it may be tried again after several days.

A small percentage of women who attempt to induce abortion in this manner have severe complications, such as excessive bleeding or a dangerously high fever, which can be fatal. Having someone there to seek help can be lifesaving.