Gastroenterologist wants me to take Misoprostol / Cytotec

[Patience47]

For stomach problems caused by pred. I don't like what I've read about it and very hesitant about taking it. Would appreciate any advice. It is used for abortion and stomach ulcers, and also if you are on NSAID type drugs, which I don't take.

[HeronNS]

Are you having gastric problems now or is this to prevent problems you don't have at the moment? If you are having some problems what have you done so far to try to deal with them? I agree it's best to avoid questionable drugs if you can.

[HeronNS]

Oh I've just read up on this drug. Looks like it's supposed to be taken four times a day. That alone would turn me off it!

[Patience47 in reply to HeronNS]

Me too. Just received 6 bottles of it. I have TriCare (military insurance) so the cost is minimal........thank God. Oh, it says take it 3 times a day. Dosage is 100 MCG.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You really need to discuss it with the doctor who wants to use it and your GP. It isn't a drug I've come across before so I doubt anyone here has any experience.

Is this to be a longterm treatment or is it being used in the shorter term to heal existing ulcers? Why don't you like what you have read about it?

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

[Patience47 in reply to PMRpro]

Diarrhea, and it says you shouldn't take it if you have heart disease and abdominal pain. I've had two heart bypass surgeries and four stents. It is for long-term. Also, I have call in for Dr., but want to know what forum members think. Thanks Pmrpro.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Patience47]

Then I would want my cardiologist to express an opinion as to whether having had bypass surgery counts as a heart condition. Seems a strange drug to use as prophylaxis - but he must have his reasons, possibly the IBS.

Has the IBS been investigated? Was that the reason for the colonoscopy?

Did you know that depot-medrol injections can be used to manage PMR? That may help reduce the gastric effects.

[Patience47 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro, the Dr's medical assistant called me back and said the Dr was out until Monday and for me to hold off on the Cytotec until he got back. She, or the Dr, will call me back on Monday. In the US most elders get a colonoscopy every 5 Years.....or should. We get them here even if we don't have symtoms .It saves a lot of lives. I will ask about the Depot-Medrol Monday. Thanks for telling me about it.

[Patience47]

Had a colonoscopy yesterday, so that's why diarrhea concerns me. 😀

[HeronNS]

But why is it being prescribed?

[Patience47 in reply to HeronNS]

Abdominal pain caused by too much stomach acid. Pain started when I started taking pred. Already had IBS and pred just made things worse.

[Jsne]

I have had IBS since I drank unpurified river water in 1978. Always carry Imodium.

Have been told to take some type of anti- acid like Previcid or Omeprazole - delayed release 2X per day. My father was told the same thing. When he went into a retirement home the new doctor changed it to 1X per day. His appetite decreased- his heath declined rapidly - he kept losing weight until they increased it back to 2X per day. His health stabilized again. Could try it. I have been told that there are few side effects.