Anyone taken/taking Arthrotec?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Why does it have a warning about contraceptives in pre-menopausal women?????

???

no-one?

??

I have trawled th BNF and it says that arthrotec is diclofenac plus misoprostol which helps to prevent gastric erosions due to the diclofenac. However, misoprostol also has an unlicensed use to open the cervix and bring on labour.

Therefore I guess it mentions the contraception as if you did get pregnant, then there would be an associated risk of miscarriage due to incompetent cervix because of the misoprostol.

Ah - thank you vole!

VVV - I would be interested to know how you get on with the arthrotec. I took it briefly and I had worse stomach problems than when I took separate anti-inflammatorys and something to prevent gastric erosions. My GP was surprised at this. I also found it didn't do much, but that varies from person to person with NSAIDs anyway.

Vole is right too - when I asked my GP about this when I was prescribed it she said it can be used to encourage contractions where pregnancy has failed or is undesired. It is also unwise to get pregnant on any NSAIDs as they can all have an effect on the unborn baby, some are better than others.

If I remember correctly the misoprostol is also known to cause major birth defects as well.

Ask your pharmacist, they should be able to look it up, there's a big detailed book they should have in the back who's name I can't remember!

my dad takes them after he fell of the roof of a house and shattered his feet, he says they r great but dont believe that they annoy his stomach.
when i was around 16 i mistakenly took one of my grandmothers for pains i suffered in my legs i thought it was paracetamol and they cut the stomach of me.

misoprostol is part of the RU486 medical abortion treatment - given off licence