O General Information and Indications:
Progesterone is used as a part of
hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause (the change
of life) and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus).
Hormone replacement therapy usually includes estrogen, which is used to
treat symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of developing certain
diseases. However, estrogen can also cause abnormal thickening of the lining
of the uterus and increase the risk of developing uterine cancer.
Progesterone helps to prevent this thickening and decreases the risk of
developing uterine cancer. Progesterone is also used to bring on
menstruation (period) in women of childbearing age who have had normal
periods and then stopped menstruating. Progesterone is in a class of
medications called progestins (female hormones). It works as part of hormone
replacement therapy by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the uterus. It
works to bring on menstruation by replacing the natural progesterone that
some women are missing.
O Information For Users:
Progesterone comes as a capsule to take by mouth.
It is usually taken once a day in the evening or at bedtime. You will
probably take progesterone on a rotating schedule that alternates 10–12 days
when you take progesterone with 16–18 days when you do not take the
medication. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to take progesterone. To
help you remember to take progesterone, take it around the same time in the
evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor
or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take progesterone exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to progesterone, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), hormone
replacement therapy, any other medications, or peanuts.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone,
Pacerone); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox),
and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Samdimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delaviridine (Rescriptor);
diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin,
Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease
inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir
(Fortovase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevpac);
metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone); omeprazole (Prilosec); oral
contraceptives (birth control pills); ticlopidine (Ticlid); troleandomycin
(TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate).
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
o Inform your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St.
John's wort.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding unexplained vaginal bleeding
between periods; a miscarriage in which some tissue was left in the uterus;
cancer of the breasts or female organs; seizures; migraine headaches;
asthma; diabetes; depression; blood clots in the legs, lungs, eyes, brain,
or anywhere in the body; stroke or ministroke; vision problems; or liver,
kidney, heart, or gallbladder disease .
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking progesterone, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking progesterone.
o you should know that progesterone may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not
drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects
you. If progesterone does make you dizzy or drowsy, take your daily dose at
bedtime.
o you should know that progesterone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness,
and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more
common when you first start taking progesterone. To avoid this problem, get
out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before
standing up.
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this
medication.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Progesterone may cause adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o headache
o breast tenderness or pain
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o constipation
o tiredness
o muscle, joint, or bone pain
o mood swings
o irritability
o excessive worrying
o runny nose
o sneezing
o cough
o vaginal discharge
o problems urinating
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o breast lumps
o migraine headache
o severe dizziness or faintness
o slow or difficult speech
o weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
o lack of coordination or loss of balance
o shortness of breath
o fast heartbeat
o sharp chest pain
o coughing up blood
o leg swelling or pain
o loss of vision or blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o bulging eyes (Exophthalmos or Proptosis)
o double vision (diplopia)
o unexpected vaginal bleeding
o hand tremor, shaking hands
o seizures
o stomach pain or swelling
o depression
o hives (Urticaria)
o skin rash
o itching
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
o hoarseness
Laboratory animals who were given progesterone developed tumors. It is not
known if progesterone increases the risk of tumors in humans. Talk to your
doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Medications like progesterone may cause abnormal blood clotting. This may
cut off the blood supply to the brain, heart, lungs, or eyes and cause
serious problems. Call your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms
listed above as serious side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks of
taking this medication.
O Brand Name(s):
o Prometrium® |
