Misoprostol
Also known as: Cytotec, Arthotec, Arthrotec, Artotec, Artrenac Pro, Condrotec, Corrigast, Cyprostol, Cytolog, Diclotec, Glefos, Menpros, Misodex, Misofenac, Napratec, Normulen, Oxaprost, Symbol
> **CRITICAL WARNING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN**: This medication can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage. Pregnant women, or women trying to conceive, should **not** handle this medication. If handling is absolutely necessary, strict precautions (such as wearing disposable gloves) must be taken. * **Gastrointestinal Upset**: The most common side effects are diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. These are often temporary and resolve over a few days as your pet's body adjusts to the medication. * **Administration**: Giving this medication with food can help minimize stomach upset and diarrhea. * **When to Call the Vet**: If diarrhea becomes severe, persists for more than a few days, or if your pet becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian. They may need to adjust the dose or recommend a specific antacid (avoid magnesium-containing antacids as they worsen diarrhea). * **Female Pets**: If given to an intact female dog, you may notice vaginal bleeding or discharge due to the drug's effect on the uterus.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Induction of abortion
- Adjunctive treatment of acute colitis
- Equine gastric ulcer syndrome
- Induce cervical relaxation (post-breeding endometritis)
- Prevention of aspirin-induced gastric injury
- Prevention or treatment of gastric ulceration from NSAIDs
- Prevention or treatment of gastric ulceration from NSAIDs
- Preventing GI mucosal injury in dogs with arthritis requiring long-term NSAID therapy; treating gastro-duodenal ulcer disease caused by NSAIDS
- Adjunctive therapy for the termination of mid-term pregnancy
- Treating pyometra/metritis
- Abortifacient protocol after mismating
- Adjunctive therapy for atopic dermatitis
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Uterine contractions (in females)
- Vaginal bleeding (in females)
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Abortion
Cautions & contraindications
- Pregnancy (unless being used specifically as an abortifacient)
- Nursing mothers (can cause severe diarrhea in nursing offspring)
- Known sensitivity to prostaglandins or prostaglandin analogs
- Pregnant animals (unless being used specifically to induce abortion)
- > **WARNING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN**: Misoprostol is a potent abortifacient. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should handle this drug with extreme caution (e.g., wearing gloves or avoiding handling altogether). * Use with caution in patients with **cerebral or coronary vascular disease**. While not explicitly reported with misoprostol, other prostaglandins have precipitated seizures in epileptic patients and caused hypotension. * Adverse GI effects are common but often transient; they can be minimized by adjusting the dose or administering the drug with food.
Drug interactions
- Magnesium-containing antacids: May aggravate misoprostol-induced diarrhea. If an antacid is required, an aluminum-only antacid is preferred.
- Gentamicin: May exacerbate renal dysfunction
- Diclofenac: Human combination products (misoprostol + diclofenac) are highly toxic to small animals due to different NSAID pharmacokinetics
Frequently asked questions
What is Misoprostol used for in pets?
> **CRITICAL WARNING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN**: This medication can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage. Pregnant women, or women trying to conceive, should **not** handle this medication. If handling is absolutely necessary, strict precautions (such as wearing disposable gloves) must be taken. * **Gastrointestinal Upset**: The most common side effects are diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. These are often temporary and resolve over a few days as your pet's body adjusts to the medication. * **Administration**: Giving this medication with food can help minimize stomach upset and diarrhea. * **When to Call the Vet**: If diarrhea becomes severe, persists for more than a few days, or if your pet becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian. They may need to adjust the dose or recommend a specific antacid (avoid magnesium-containing antacids as they worsen diarrhea). * **Female Pets**: If given to an intact female dog, you may notice vaginal bleeding or discharge due to the drug's effect on the uterus.
Is Misoprostol safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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