Isovent – Is it safe? Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Isovent?

Isovent is a prostratin E1 analogue drug which is synthetically produced. This medication is primarily used in the process of treating ulcers, terminating the pregnancy and also in inducing the labor pain.

Isovent – Is it safe? Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is the Generic name(s)?
What is its composition?
How does it work?
What are its uses?
How effective is this medicine?
Is it addictive?
What is the dosage?
What if I miss a dose?
What to do in case of overdosage?
Can I drive after taking it?
Can it be taken on an empty stomach?
Can it be taken with food?
Can I take it with alcohol?
What are the side effects?
What to do if there are any allergic reactions?
Does this medicine has any drug interactions?
Precautions
Is it safe to take if I am pregnant?
Is it safe to take if I am breastfeeding?
Can this medicine be given to Children and infants?
Is this medicine available as Over The Counter (OTC) product?
Frequently asked questions
Reference

What is the Generic Name(s)?

Depends upon the active ingredient present in this drug, the generic name of Isovent drug is Misoprostol[1].

What is its composition?

Isovent is made up of an active ingredient which is known as Misoprostol (100 mcg or 200 mcg).

How do Isovent works?

As an active ingredient, this Misoprostol has got both of the Anti-secretory properties and mucosal protective properties in it. It involves in the process of inhibiting the increased level secretion of gastric acid[2] in the intestine and thus protects the lining in the stomach. Consuming NSAIDs[3] involves the inhibition of prostaglandin[4] synthesis and cause deficiency of prostaglandins in the gastric mucosa. It results in decreasing of secretion of bicarbonate and mucus[5] and can cause mucosal damage (even results in gastric ulcer[6]). These tablets can increase the level of bicarbonate and mucus production. So it is, therefore, observed to make the misoprostol to reduce the mucosal damage and prevents the occurrence of gastric ulcer.

What are its uses?

Isovent is used in the prevention, treatment and curing of the following mentioned conditions such as,

• It is used in the process of prevention and treatment of Stomach ulcers[7]. It is caused due to the consumptions of Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen[8], naproxen[9] and aspirin[10]. These drugs increase the risks of developing the ulcers.
• Termination of pregnancy[11] (occurs by contracting the muscles in the uterus and used instead of surgical procedure)
• Legal abortion[12] of the pregnancy
• Ripening of the cervical region (which is before the termination of pregnancy surgically)
• Loss of blood
• It is used to reduce the bleeding which is a compilation of ulcers. It is done by acting upon the gastric parietal cells[13] which in turn inhibits the secretion of gastric acid.
• Induce the labor pain by contraction of muscles in the uterus[14] and ripening of the cervical region
• Gastric ulcer
• Duodenal ulcer
• It protects the lining of the stomach
• It is used to prevent the postpartum bleeding which is considered as thermostable but not so expensive method.
• It used to expel the dead foetus[15] in the uterus of the mother after the miscarriage.

How effective is this medicine?

The active ingredient Misoprostol present in this drug which is easily and rapidly absorbed through the tissues and cells present in the body. Hence the effectiveness of this drug is observed to be rapid and quick.

It may take up to half an hour to shows its effect on the condition and lasts long up to (or present in the body up to) about two hours. At the same time, during the process of pregnancy termination and inducing labour, the drug shows its effect very fast but it can vary depends upon the health condition of the mother and the foetus.

Is it addictive?

No, it is not addictive. This drug has no active ingredient which is observed to have any habit forming or dependence properties in it. Hence, this medicine has no potency for addiction or abuse characteristics.

What is the Common Dosage?

The common dosage of the drug is decided by the doctor by considering the following factors in the person:

• Type and severity of the condition
• The weight of the person
• Age of the person
• Sex of the person
• The health condition of the patient
• Allergies of the patient

Usually, this drug is recommended to consume once or twice per day (either the strength with 100 mcg or 200 mcg). The frequency of consuming this drug may vary depends upon the condition of the patient.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you missed a dose of this drug, try to take it as soon as you remember it. But avoid taking the missed dosage if it is already time for next dosage. It is because it may lead to the consumption of double dosage (which is overdosage). If you observe any abnormalities, then consult the doctor immediately.

What to do in case of overdosage?

The overdosage of this drug may result in coma or even leads to death. So it is better to consult your physician immediately once you overdose this drug. The other symptoms included are dizziness, drowsiness, seizures along with an irregular heartbeat.

Can I drive after taking it?

No, you cannot drive after taking this drug. Some people may often experience dizziness, tiredness or drowsiness and even headache. So, it is not recommended to drive any vehicles or operating any heavy types of machinery after taking this drug.

Can it be taken on an empty stomach?

No, it cannot be taken on an empty stomach. Consumption of this drug on an empty stomach may cause the failure in treating the condition. It shows its full effect when it is taken with food or after food.

Can it be taken with food?

Yes, it can be taken with food. This drug is observed to have shown its full effect when it is taken with food. Hence, the physicians recommended that this medicine should be taken with food.

Can I take it with alcohol?

No, it cannot be taken with alcohol. While treating ulcers, this drug interacts with alcohol which causes bleeding in the stomach and fails to prevent the ulcer. In the process of abortion, the interaction of alcohol leads to severe complications when it is failed to terminate the pregnancy.

What are the side effects?

This medicine may cause side effects in persons which are sometimes common and usually observed and some other symptoms are although rarely reported yet these are considered to cause life-threatening situations. Those side effects are listed below,

• Pain or cramps in the abdominal region
• Diarrhoea  ( which is most commonly observed)
• Irregular heartbeat (slower or decreased rate of the heartbeat)
• Changes in mood or mental behaviour
• Problems or irregularities in the menstrual cycle
• Muscle weakness
• Tiredness
• Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding during the menstrual cycle
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion problems
• Gas accumulated in the parts of the alimentary canal

What to do if there are any allergic reactions?

Some allergic reactions caused by this drug are observed as,

• Increased vaginal bleeding
• Swelling in the body parts especially in face, throat, tongue, eyelids, hand and feet

If you ever experience the above mentioned allergic reactions, it is better advised to seek the emergency medical help from your physician as soon as possible.

Does this medicine has any drug interactions?

This Isovent drug is reported to interact with some specific drugs. This drug to drug interaction may increase the risk of side effects or allergic reactions. It may also cease the working and effectiveness of the drug. Such kind of particular drugs are mentioned below,

• Prostin E2
• Dinoprostone topical
• Norvasc
• Prepidil
• Cervidil
• Vitamin supplements and Herbal supplements

Precautions

Here is the list of some  precautions and warnings which are needed to take while consuming this drug,

• Always let your doctor know if you are taking other drugs such as vitamin supplements or herbal supplements to avoid drug to drug interactions.
• Consult your doctor if you are allergic to the active ingredient present in the drug.
• Avoid this drug if you already have a previous medical history in cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases or liver diseases.
• Always consult your doctor if you have any serious or severe side effects and allergic reactions while consuming this drug.

Is it safe to take if I am pregnant?

No, it is not safe to take if you are pregnant as it may lead to the contraction of uterus muscles which can affect the foetus. In fact, this tablet is used in the process of terminating the pregnancy during the early stage of the pregnancy.

Is it safe to take if I am breastfeeding?

No, it is not safe to take if you are breastfeeding. This medicine is evidently reported and observed to pass through the breast milk. It may affect and cause dangerous effects on the health of the infant. Hence, it is not safe to use this drug unless it is recommended by your physician during the feeding period.

Can this medicine be given to Children and infants?

No, this medicine cannot be given to children and infants. This drug is not recommended for children under 12 years unless it is specifically prescribed by the doctor (particularly for the Ulcer treatment).

Is this medicine available as Over The Counter (OTC) product?

Yes, this medicine is indeed available as Over The Counter (OTC) product.

Frequently asked questions

How to store this drug?

The drug is stored by following the below  list of conditions,

• It should be stored away from direct heat, light or moisture.
• Avoid keeping this drug in a bathroom or kitchen which is easily accessible to others.
• Always store this drug away from the children and pets as it may affect their health.
• Do not flush these tablets in the toilet or sink. This kind of flushing the tablets may contaminate the environmental condition which in turn affect the health conditions of the human.
• It is not advisable to store this drug in the refrigerator or deep freezer at cold temperature unless it is specifically mentioned in the packet.

What is the price of this drug?

A strip of these tables with the strength of 200 mcg costs about $97.

How to take this drug?

While taking this drug, the person should follow the below-mentioned steps carefully:

• Swallow the tablet wholly.
• Do not crush, chew or break it as it may result in loss of potency of the drug.
• Take it with or without the glass of water.
• Consume this drug with food or after meals.
• Follow the instruction of your physician regarding the dosage of this drug.
• Try to take this tablet regularly at the same time every day.
• It is taken orally as with the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

When to avoid this drug?

Hypersensitivity is considered as the contraindication of this isovent tablet. This medicine is better to avoid using if you have any pre or present medical history on the conditions which are listed below,

• Pregnant (unless you want to terminate it) or planning to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding or lactation
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cerebrovascular diseases
• Renal impairment and elderly impairment
• Sensitivity and hypersensitivity
• Liver diseases

What is the effect of this drug on organs?

This drug shows its dangerous effect on the heart(which is the cardiovascular system) and kidney (which is the excretory system). In the cardiovascular system, if there is a pre-medical history with cardiovascular diseases such as Heart attack or stroke, you may experience the failure in the functioning of the heart and the blood vessels. It is due to the consumption of this drug.

Consumption of this drug may affect the functioning of the kidney if the person is reported to have a previous medical history in both renal and elderly impairment and other kidney diseases.

Can Isovent be abruptly stopped?

No, this drug cannot be stopped abruptly. When you stop this medicine stopped immediately without the notice of your physician, it may cause a rebound effect of the conditions to include gastric ulcer or termination of the pregnancy. So it is better not to stop this drug abruptly without the notice or recommendation from your physician.

What happens if I take an expired drug?

Generally, when a drug is expired, it may lose its potency and effectiveness to treat the condition. This drug, when expired, will fail to treat the gastric ulcer and other types of ulcers and also inhibits the process of terminating the pregnancy.

Are there any particular food items to be avoided while taking this drug?

No, there are no particular food items to be avoided while taking this drug.

What are the substitutes of Isovent?

The another best substitute of Isovent drug is Cytotec which has the active ingredient (Such as Misoprostol) and composition (Such as 100 mcg to 200 mcg) similar to this drug. It is manufactured by Pfizer Pvt Ltd.

Reference

Wikipedia page on Protein kinase C

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