Diclofenac/misoprostol

Diclofenac/misoprostol
Combination of
Diclofenac	NSAID
Misoprostol	Prostaglandin analog
Clinical data
Trade names	Arthrotec
MedlinePlus	a699002
License data	US DailyMed: Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol;
Pregnancy; category	Contraindicated;
Routes of; administration	By mouth
ATC code	M01AB55 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	CA: ℞-only; UK: POM (Prescription only); US: ℞-only;
Identifiers
CAS Number	239810-53-8;
KEGG	D11091;
	(verify)

Diclofenac/misoprostol, sold under the brand name Arthrotec, is a fixed-dose combination medication that contains:

Diclofenac sodium: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic properties
Misoprostol: Gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal protective prostaglandin E₁ analog.

In the United Kingdom it is marketed by Pharmacia and it is indicated for prophylaxis against NSAID-induced gastroduodenal ulceration in people requiring diclofenac for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

The American College of Rheumatology and a Canadian consensus report both recommend GI-protective agents such as misoprostol be combined with long term NSAID therapy and a review concluded that diclofenac/misoprostol is a cost effective treatment in patients requiring long term NSAID therapy who are at increased risk of developing gastropathy.