Misoprostol, sold under the brandname Cytotec among others, is a medication used to start labor, cause an abortion, prevent and treat stomach ulcers, and treat postpartum bleeding due to poor contraction of the uterus.For abortions it is often used with mifepristone or methotrexate.By itself effectiveness for this purpose is between 66% and 90%.[3] It is taken either in the cheek, under the tongue, or placed in the vagina.

 

Common side effects include diarrhea and abdominal pain.It is pregnancy category X meaning that it is known to result in negative outcomes for the baby if taken during pregnancy.In rare cases, uterine rupture may occur.It is a prostaglandin analogue — specifically, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).

 

Misoprostol was developed in 1973.[5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.It is available as a generic medication.

Misoprostol

Clinical data
Trade names	Cytotec, Misodel, other
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a689009

Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	extensively absorbed
Protein binding	80-90% (active metabolite, misoprostol acid)
Metabolism	Liver (extensive to misoprostic acid)
Biological half-life	20–40 minutes
Excretion	Urine (80%)
Identifiers
IUPAC name[show]
CAS Number	59122-46-2
PubChem CID	5282381
IUPHAR/BPS	1936
DrugBank	DB00929
ChemSpider	4445541
UNII	0E43V0BB57
KEGG	D00419
ChEMBL	CHEMBL606
ECHA InfoCard	100.190.521
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H38O5
Molar mass	382.534 g/mol

 

The images only for reference