Misoprostol

Class

• • Synthetic prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) analogue

Indications

• Prevention of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers

  • In people who are both taking NSAIDs and are at high risk for NSAID-induced ulcers, including the elderly and people with ulcer complications

• Labour induction

Administration/Absorption

Dosage

Distribution

Mechanism

• Acts upon gastric parietal cells

• Inhibits the secretion of gastric acid via G-protein coupled receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase

• Leads to decreased intracellular cyclic AMP levels and decreased proton pump activity at the apical surface of the parietal cell

Excretion

Side effects

• • Diarrhoea

Interactions

Contraindications