The combination diclofenac/misoprostol (trade name Arthrotec) is a pharmaceutical product that contains:

• Diclofenac
  Diclofenac
  Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug taken to reduce inflammation and as an analgesic reducing pain in certain conditions....
  
   sodium: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic
  Analgesic
  An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
  
   properties
• Misoprostol
  Misoprostol
  Misoprostol is a drug that is used for the prevention of non steroidal anti inflammatory drug induced gastric ulcers, for early abortion, to treat missed miscarriage, and to induce labor. The latter use is controversial in the United States. Misoprostol was invented and marketed by G.D...
  
  : Gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal protective prostaglandin
  Prostaglandin
  A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring....
  
   E1 analog.

In the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 it is available in two strengths:

• Arthrotec 50 (diclofenac 50 mg and misoprostol 200 µg
  Microgram
  In the metric system, a microgram is a unit of mass equal to one millionth of a gram , or 1/1000 of a milligram. It is one of the smallest units of mass commonly used...
  
  )
  • Dose 1 tablet 2-3 times daily with food
• Arthrotec 75 (diclofenac 75 mg and misoprostol 200 µg)
  • Dose 1 tablet twice daily with food

It is marketed by Pharmacia

Pharmacia

Pharmacia was a pharmaceutical and biotechnological company in Sweden.-History:Pharmacia was founded in 1911 in Stockholm, Sweden by pharmacist Gustav Felix Grönfeldt at the Elgen Pharmacy. The company is named after the Greek word φαρμακεία, transliterated pharmakeia, which means 'sorcery'...

 and its indication

Indication (medicine)

In medicine, an indication is a valid reason to use a certain test, medication, procedure, or surgery. The opposite of indication is contraindication.-Drugs:...

 is for prophylaxis against NSAID-induced gastroduodenal ulceration

Peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...

 in patients requiring diclofenac for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...

 or osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Symptoms may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion...

.

Arthrotec must not be taken during pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...

, as it may deform or otherwise harm the fetus

Fetus

A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...

, or lead to miscarriage

Miscarriage

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...

. This may be accompanied by potentially dangerous bleeding, possibly requiring surgery

Surgery

Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...

 and potentially leading to infertility

Infertility

Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...

 or death.

External links

• Access to Summary of Product Characteristics
  Summary of Product Characteristics
  The Summary of Product Characteristics is a specific document required within the European Commission before any medicinal product is authorized for marketing. This summary is the definitive description of the product both in terms of its properties, chemical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical...
  
  for Diclofenac
• Summary of Product Characteristics for Arthrotec 50 from the electronic Medicines Compendium
• Patient Information Leaflet for Arthrotec 50 from the electronic Medicines Compendium
• Summary of Product Characteristics for Arthrotec 75 from the electronic Medicines Compendium
• Patient Information Leaflet for Arthrotec 75 from the electronic Medicines Compendium