Misoprostol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 18, 2025.

Applies to misoprostol: oral tablet.

Precautions

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This medicine can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or birth defects if taken during pregnancy. You will need to have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before you start using this medicine. Continue to use birth control for at least 1 month after you stop using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Begin using this medicine on the 2nd or 3rd day of your next monthly period. This is to make sure you are not pregnant.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea in some people. These effects will usually disappear within a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the diarrhea, cramps, or nausea is severe and/or does not stop after a week. Your doctor may have to lower the dose of misoprostol you are taking.

Common side effects of misoprostol

Some side effects of misoprostol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of misoprostol

Along with its needed effects, misoprostol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking misoprostol:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to misoprostol: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included uterine contractions/cramping, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Uterine contractions/cramping (up to 45%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Endometritis, heavy bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cramps, dysmenorrhea, hypermenorrhea, intermenstrual bleeding, menstrual disorder, spotting, vaginal hemorrhage
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Menorrhagia
• Frequency not reported: Abnormal uterine contractions, breast pain, dysuria, hematuria, impotence, polyuria, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, urinary tract infection, uterine hemorrhage, uterine perforation, uterine rupture^[Ref]

Uterine contractions/cramping usually occurred within hours of oral administration.

Heavy bleeding required hemostatic curettage in up to 1.4% of patients.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 40%), abdominal pain (up to 20%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Light to moderate cramping
• Frequency not reported: Dysphagia, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal inflammation and infection, gingivitis, loose stools, profound diarrhea, rectal disorder, reflux^[Ref]

Diarrhea usually occurred early in treatment, and was typically dose-related, self-limiting, and required discontinuation in approximately 2% of patients in clinical trials.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vagal symptoms
• Frequency not reported: Abnormal taste, drowsiness, neuropathy, syncope^[Ref]

Vagal symptoms included hot flush, dizziness, and chills.^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Infection following abortion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fever/pyrexia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Birth defects, chills, fetal death, malaise
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Serious/fatal septic shock, serious/fatal toxic shock
• Frequency not reported: Aches/pains, asthenia, deafness, earache, fatigue, incomplete abortion, premature birth, retained placenta, rigors, tinnitus^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Skin rash/rash
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema nodosum, erythroderma, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, dermatitis, diaphoresis/increased sweating^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hot flushes
• Frequency not reported: Amniotic fluid embolism, arrhythmia, arterial thrombosis, cardiovascular accidents, cerebrovascular accident, chest pain, coronary artery spasm, edema, hypertension, hypotension, increased cardiac enzymes, myocardial infarction/fatal myocardial infarction, pallor, phlebitis, severe hypotension, thromboembolic events^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, bronchospasm, dyspnea, epistaxis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, upper respiratory tract infection^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Appetite change, gout, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased nitrogen, severe dehydration, thirst, weight changes^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal differential, anemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, purpura, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, depression, loss of libido, neurosis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, muscle cramps. stiffness^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal vision, conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal hepatobiliary function^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Misoprostol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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