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| Pronunciation |
|
 (dye
KLOE fen ak & mye soe PROST
ole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Arthrotec® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent (NSAID); Prostaglandin |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Serious side effects may occur if this medication is given to a
pregnant woman, including death of the mother or unborn child. Other effects
include a tear in the uterus, severe contractions, or severe vaginal bleeding.
This medicine should only be used after making sure that a woman is not
pregnant.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to aspirin, other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other prostaglandins, diclofenac, misoprostol,
or any other part of the medicine. A few examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen,
naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and ketoprofen.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat arthritis patients at high risk for
ulcers.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Diclofenac reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and
release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation.
- Misoprostol protects the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine
from the irritation effects of
diclofenac.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Swallow tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases
in stomach irritation.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased
shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines,
other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng,
ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists,
surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be
instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for
specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine,
especially aspirin or other pain medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy
and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching;
shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or
any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. If you are male, use
birth control to protect your partner. Use birth control that you can trust
while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, gas.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Take with meals. Use antacids without
magnesium.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Pregnancy. Medicine will need to be stopped.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from
moisture.
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| General statements |
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|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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