Misoprostol was FDA approved on December 27, 1988, under the brand Cytotec. Generic misoprostol is available. Misoprostol side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Misoprostol may cause serious side effects. Misoprostol (Cytotec) prevents stomach ulcers if you also take NSAID medications. It reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. Misoprostol (Cytotec) is often used to help pass a pregnancy following a missed miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Here's what to expect. What is Cytotec? Cytotec is used to prevent stomach ulcers during treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Cytotec is an off-brand version of the medication Misoprostol, which is a synthetic version of the hormone prostaglandin. Cytotec was not originally developed to help induce labor and was instead used to treat stomach ulcers. CYTOTEC® (misoprostol) medication page for patients to search for scientific information & prescribing information about Pfizer medications in the US. Find patient medical information for Misoprostol (Cytotec) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings.