SUMMARYMisoprostol is a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring prostaglandin El.T h e basis of the damaging actions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is believed to be a consequence of two events: a direct damaging action on mucosal integrity and depletion of endogenous mucosal prostaglandins (PGs). Due to the latter effect, and because current evidence indicates that PGs play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the G I tract, misoprostol has been developed as a logical therapy to prevent and heal gastric and duodenal damage caused b y NSAIDs. T h e purpose of this review is to consider the need for such a therapy, to describe its pharmaceutical development, to review its pharmacology and to review its efficacy compared with other available agents.