Part Two of Arthrotec Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

Go to page: 1 | 2

What are the possible side effects of diclofenac and misoprostol?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking diclofenac 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 diclofenac 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.

What other drugs will affect diclofenac and misoprostol?

  • To reduce the incidence of diarrhea, do not take antacids that contain magnesium while you are taking diclofenac and misoprostol. If you need an antacid, take one with aluminum or calcium instead of magnesium.
  • Before taking diclofenac 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 diclofenac 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 diclofenac and misoprostol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about diclofenac and misoprostol written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 2.04. Revision Date: 2/14/03.

Go to page: 1 | 2