Buy Misoprostol (Cytotec) — Online Prescription
Misoprostol (Cytotec) is FDA-approved to prevent stomach ulcers in patients on long-term NSAID therapy — a prescription-only medication with a serious boxed warning for pregnancy. Here's the real dosing, how it compares to the more commonly used alternative, and pricing.
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Jill St. Germain, PharmD — NPI 1356626378 · Last updated 2026-08-31
| Active ingredient | Misoprostol |
|---|---|
| Dosage form | Tablet (100 mcg, 200 mcg) |
| Administration route | Oral |
Class: Prostaglandin E1 Analog [EPC]
Indications: INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cytotec (misoprostol) is indicated for reducing the risk of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin)–induced gastric ulcers in patients at high risk of complications from gastric ulcer, e.g., the elderly and patients with concomitant debilitating disease, as well as patients at high risk of developing gastric ulceration, such as patients with a history of ulcer. Cytotec has not been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs…
Boxed warning: WARNINGS CYTOTEC (MISOPROSTOL) ADMINISTRATION TO WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, ABORTION, PREMATURE BIRTH OR UTERINE RUPTURE. UTERINE RUPTURE HAS BEEN REPORTED WHEN CYTOTEC WAS ADMINISTERED IN PREGNANT WOMEN TO INDUCE LABOR OR TO INDUCE ABORTION. THE RISK OF UTERINE RUPTURE INCREASES WITH ADVANCING GESTATIONAL AGES AND WITH PRIOR UTERINE SURGERY, INCLUDING CESAREAN DELIVERY (see also PRECAUTIONS and LABOR AND DELIVERY ). CYTOTEC SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN BY PREGNANT WOMEN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ULCERS INDUCED BY NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs) (see CONTRAINDICATIONS , W…
Contraindications: CONTRAINDICATIONS See boxed WARNINGS . Cytotec should not be taken by pregnant women to reduce the risk of ulcers induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Cytotec should not be taken by anyone with a history of allergy to prostaglandins.
openFDA label data — Updated 2026-09-02Misoprostol (Cytotec) is prescription-only, FDA-approved specifically to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in people on long-term NSAID therapy — typically 200 mcg four times daily with food. It carries the FDA's most serious warning because of pregnancy risk. It's not the only option for this purpose — proton pump inhibitors are more commonly used today — but for the right patient, it's an effective, inexpensive generic medication.
What misoprostol treats
Misoprostol (brand name Cytotec) is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin — in patients at elevated risk of ulcer complications from long-term NSAID use. That typically means:
- Older adults taking NSAIDs regularly (for arthritis or chronic pain, for example)
- Anyone with a history of a prior ulcer
- Patients with debilitating disease who need ongoing NSAID therapy
Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin — it works by replacing the stomach-protecting prostaglandins that NSAIDs suppress. NSAIDs cause ulcers partly by blocking your stomach's natural prostaglandin production, which normally protects the stomach lining; misoprostol restores some of that protection.
Dosing
| Regimen | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 200 mcg, 4 times daily | Taken with food, for as long as NSAID therapy continues |
| If not tolerated | 100 mcg, every 6 hours | Reduced dose for patients with diarrhea on the standard regimen |
Take it with food, and ask your prescriber about bedtime dosing — both can help reduce the most common side effect, diarrhea. This is a preventive medication taken for the duration of your NSAID use, not a short course.
Boxed warning: pregnancy
Misoprostol carries the FDA's most serious warning label. Administration to women who are pregnant can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth, or uterine rupture. The risk of uterine rupture increases with advancing gestational age and with a history of prior uterine surgery, including cesarean delivery. Because of this risk, misoprostol should not be taken by pregnant patients for the ulcer-prevention indication, and patients of reproductive potential must be counseled on this risk and have pregnancy excluded before starting treatment, along with using effective contraception during use.
Misoprostol is contraindicated in anyone with a known allergy to prostaglandins. Uses outside its approved ulcer-prevention indication require specific medical supervision and are outside the scope of this page.
Misoprostol vs. PPIs
Misoprostol isn't the only way to protect your stomach during long-term NSAID therapy — today, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or pantoprazole are more commonly prescribed for this purpose:
| Misoprostol | PPIs (e.g., omeprazole) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dosing | 4 times daily | Usually once daily |
| Common side effect | Diarrhea | Generally better tolerated long-term |
| Pregnancy | Boxed warning — significant risk | Considered safer in pregnancy when GI protection is needed |
| Duodenal ulcer protection | Not established | Effective for both gastric and duodenal ulcers |
Neither is automatically "better" — misoprostol has a long track record and works through a different, complementary mechanism, and may be preferred in specific clinical situations your prescriber will consider. This is a discussion to have with your prescriber, not something to switch on your own.
Side effects
Diarrhea is the most common side effect, along with abdominal pain, nausea, and gas — it's dose-related and tends to improve after the first week or two of treatment. Taking misoprostol with food and, per your prescriber's guidance, avoiding magnesium-containing antacids (which can worsen diarrhea) may help.
None of this replaces your prescriber's guidance for your specific situation — this is general information, not a substitute for the counseling you'll get when we fill your prescription.
Buying and pricing
- Generic only, in practice. Brand-name Cytotec is largely discontinued in the US retail market — nearly everyone is dispensed the generic, which is inexpensive.
- Consistency matters. Because this is a preventive medication taken alongside ongoing NSAID use, staying consistent with the schedule matters more than with an as-needed medication — talk to us if cost or side effects are making that hard.
- Ask about savings options. Ask your pharmacist for the cash price or about discount programs before assuming insurance is your cheapest route.
- Speed. Call us at (860) 522-9289 and we can have a new or refill prescription ready quickly.
No active shortage reported — No shortage records found for this generic name.
FDA openFDA — Updated 2026-09-02National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC): $0.701 per tablet (MISOPROSTOL 200 MCG TABLET). This is the average price pharmacies pay wholesalers — not your out-of-pocket cost — published by CMS for pricing transparency.
CMS NADAC — Updated 2026-09-02Misoprostol Prices in the USA
| Dosage | Brand-name avg. price | Generic avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg (60 tablets) | Rarely stocked — Cytotec brand is largely discontinued in the US | $35–65 |
| 200 mcg (60 tablets) | Rarely stocked — Cytotec brand is largely discontinued in the US | $50–95 |
Frequently asked questions
What is misoprostol FDA-approved for?
Misoprostol (brand name Cytotec) is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of stomach (gastric) ulcers caused by NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin) in patients at high risk of ulcer complications from long-term NSAID use, such as older adults and people with a history of ulcers.
Does misoprostol prevent all types of NSAID-related ulcers?
No — it has specifically been shown to reduce the risk of gastric (stomach) ulcers from NSAID use, but it has not been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcers from NSAIDs. This is a meaningful distinction your prescriber factors into whether it's the right choice for you.
What is the typical misoprostol dosage?
The standard adult dose for NSAID ulcer prevention is 200 mcg four times daily, taken with food, for as long as you're taking the NSAID that put you at risk. If that schedule causes intolerable diarrhea, a prescriber may reduce it to 100 mcg every 6 hours. Never adjust your own dose or schedule.
Why does misoprostol have a boxed warning?
The FDA's strongest warning label applies to misoprostol because, when taken during pregnancy, it can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth, or uterine rupture. For its approved ulcer-prevention use, pregnancy must be ruled out before starting treatment, and reproductive-age patients must be counseled on effective contraception.
What are the most common side effects?
Diarrhea is the most common side effect, along with abdominal pain, nausea, and gas — diarrhea is more likely at higher doses and usually improves after the first week or two. Taking it with food and, per your prescriber's guidance, at bedtime can help reduce how disruptive it is.
Is misoprostol the only option to protect my stomach while taking NSAIDs long-term?
No — proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are more commonly prescribed for this today, largely because misoprostol's four-times-daily dosing and diarrhea side effect are harder for many patients to tolerate long-term. See the comparison below; which is right for you depends on your specific risk factors and history.
Is misoprostol available without a prescription?
No. Misoprostol requires a prescription in the United States for its FDA-approved use, and given the seriousness of its boxed warning, medical supervision is essential — this is not a medication to source outside a licensed pharmacy.
Sources
- Cytotec (misoprostol) — FDA-approved prescribing information, including boxed warning — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Misoprostol dosage in the prevention of NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers — PubMed
- Misoprostol / Cytotec price data (average retail cash price) — GoodRx (consumer price reference)
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) — CMS