A synthetic methylprostaglandin E1 analog that reduces gastric acid secretion and enhances the gastric mucus-bicarbonate barrier. It is effective in the therapy of gastric ulcers and gives significant protection against NSAID-induced gastric mucosal damage. The drug also prevents cyclosporin A-induced damage to endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions. It shows a low order of acute toxicity and there is no evidence of embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, teratogenicity, or mutagenicity in animal studies.
