Diclofenac and Misoprostol

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat arthritis patients at high risk for ulcers.

How does it work?

• Diclofenac reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation.
• Misoprostol protects the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine from the irritation effects of diclofenac.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases in stomach irritation.
• If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially aspirin or other pain medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. If you are male, use birth control to protect your partner. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, gas.
• Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Diarrhea. Take with meals. Use antacids without magnesium.

What should I monitor?

• Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
• Pregnancy. Medicine will need to be stopped.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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