Progesterone

Pronunciation: pro-JES-ter-one
Generic Name: Progesterone
Brand Name: Prometrium

Progesterone when combined with estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Progestin hormones combined with estrogen may increase the risk of heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, dementia, serious blood clots (eg, in the lungs or legs), cancer of the uterus, and breast cancer in some women. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the benefits and risks of using Progesterone.

Progesterone should be used for the shortest possible time at the lowest effective dose to minimize the risk of these side effects. Talk with your doctor regularly about your need to use Progesterone.

Progesterone is used for:

Protecting the lining of the uterus in certain women who are also taking estrogen. It is used to treat certain women who have do not have a menstrual period because of decreased progesterone in the body. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Progesterone is a progestin hormone. It works by changing the lining of the uterus.

Do NOT use Progesterone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Progesterone or to peanuts


• you have known or suspected breast cancer or a history of breast cancer


• you have abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause


• you have active blood clots (eg, in the legs or lungs) or a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke


• you have a history of liver problems or liver disease


• you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Progesterone:

Some medical conditions may interact with Progesterone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of breast lumps, breast disease, or an abnormal mammogram or if a member of your family has had breast cancer


• if you have a vaginal infection or a history of uterus problems (eg, fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, cancer) or you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy)


• if you have heart or blood vessel problems, bleeding problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or lipid levels, diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid problems, asthma, migraine headaches, or lupus


• if you have a history of seizures, mental or mood problems (eg, depression), cancer, or tobacco use


• if a member of your family has had blood clots (eg, in the legs or lungs)


• if you are very overweight or have high calcium levels in your blood

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Progesterone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Efavirenz or rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because they may decrease Progesterone's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Progesterone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Progesterone:

Use Progesterone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Progesterone. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Progesterone by mouth at bedtime, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. It may be taken with or without food.


• If you have trouble swallowing Progesterone, take it with a glass of water while in the standing position. Tell your doctor if you continue to have trouble swallowing Progesterone.


• If you miss a dose of Progesterone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Progesterone.

Important safety information:

• Progesterone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Progesterone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• This product has peanut oil in it. Do not take Progesterone if you are allergic to peanuts.


• Diabetes patients - Progesterone may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (eg, a long plane flight), notify your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks beforehand. You may need to stop taking Progesterone or take other special precautions for a period of time.


• Progesterone may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Progesterone.


• Lab tests, including physical exams, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Progesterone. You should have breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least once a year. You should also have periodic mammograms as determined by your doctor. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Progesterone should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Progesterone if you are pregnant unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. Progesterone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Progesterone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Progesterone:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bloating; breast tenderness; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fluid retention; headache; irritability; mild hair loss; muscle pain; nausea; spotting or breakthrough bleeding; stomach pain or cramping; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal vaginal bleeding; breast lumps or pain; bulging eyes; calf or leg pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness; coughing up blood; fainting; mental or mood changes (eg, depression, anxiety); migraine or severe headache; new or worsening memory problems; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or tenderness; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of a heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or arm pain; sudden, severe nausea or vomiting; unusual sweating or weakness); symptoms of a stroke (eg, confusion; slurred speech; one-sided weakness); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); trouble walking; unusual vaginal discharge/itching/odor; vision problems or changes (eg, double vision; sudden, partial, or full loss of vision).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Progesterone side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Progesterone:

Store Progesterone at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tight, light-resistant container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Progesterone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Progesterone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Progesterone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Progesterone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Progesterone resources

• Progesterone Side Effects (in more detail)
• Progesterone Dosage
• Progesterone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Progesterone Drug Interactions
• Progesterone Support Group
• 15 Reviews for Progesterone - Add your own review/rating

• Progesterone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Progesterone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Progesterone Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Progesterone Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)


• progesterone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Crinone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Crinone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Endometrin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Endometrin Consumer Overview


• Prochieve Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Progestins Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Prometrium Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Progesterone with other medications

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• Endometrial Hyperplasia, Prophylaxis
• Perimenopausal Symptoms
• Premature Labor
• Progesterone Insufficiency
• Seizures
• Uterine Bleeding