If necessary, there are other highly effective drugs available to heal ulcers. The physician can decide the best method of healing ulcers. Some of these are mild such as a stomach upset, which may be avoided by taking the medication with food. Minor reactions may go away on their own but if they persist, contact the physician. For major reactions, the patient should contact the physician immediately.
Diarrhea is by far the most common side effect of misoprostol.
Increasing the dose gradually may prevent diarrhea. This means taking one tablet once a day for several days, then one tablet twice a day and so forth. Also, a total reduced dosage such as 100 mcg rather than 200 mcg, four times a day, may prevent diarrhea. This would be a very welcomed development in the treatment of arthritis. Copyright 1998 Jackson Gastroenterology.