Progesterone Micronized

What is Prometrium/Progesterone?

Prometrium is micronized progesterone in the form of a pill. It is a supplemental drug used to supply the female hormone responsible for the control of menstruation and ovulation. This medication is used for women who have not yet reached menopause and are not pregnant but are not having their periods due to the lack of or presence of too little progesterone in the body. The medication is also used to restore menstruation to its normal period in women suffering from amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation).

This medication is also used as a prevention method for the overgrowth of the lining of the uterus in women who have begun menstruation and are undergoing estrogen hormone replacement therapy. It is used to reduce the symptoms of menstruation.

The medication is not for use in children, and it should not be used as a means of testing for pregnancy. Progesterone should not be used to treat heart disease or dementia, as it can increase the risk of developing these ailments.

How does Micronized Progesterone work?

Micronized Progesterone is used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women who have passed menopause and have not had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). In conjunction with estrogen, HRT is used to treat menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Estrogen can cause abnormal thickening of the uterus lining, which can increase the risk of developing uterine cancer; Micronized Progesterone works to prevent such thickening, and reduce the subsequent risk of cancer by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the uterus. It also helps to induce menstruation by replacing the natural progesterone in women of childbearing ae, who no longer have normal periods.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Progesterone Micronized is100 mg of micronized progesterone - a synthetic version of the female hormone, progestogen. 

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Progesterone Micronized are: Peanut oil NF, Gelatin NF, Glycerin USP, Lecithin NF, Titanium dioxide USP, D&C Yellow No. 10, and FD&C Red No. 40.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

This medication contains peanut oil as part of its inactive ingredients. You should not use this medication if you have a peanut allergy as it can trigger a hypersensitivity reaction. Sunset yellow (E110) is another ingredient that has been linked to hypersensitivity reactions, especially in people who have an aspirin allergy. Be sure to tell your doctor of any allergies you have, food or frugs, before starting any medications.

How to use Progesterone

Always read the patient information leaflet before beginning Progesterone (generic Prometrium) and everytime you get a refill. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist for any questions you might have concerning this drug.

This medication is designed to be taken by mouth. It should be taken as directed by your doctor; this is usually once a day at bedtime. The pill can be taken with water; however, if you have trouble swallowing this drug, you should take a glass of water while standing upright. Since the dosage taken is very dependent on the medical condition of the patient and their response to therapy, the dosing schedule should be followed very closely.

Make sure that your doctor is informed if your symptoms don’t change or your condition worsens.

Precautions

If you are allergic to Progesterone, you should make sure your doctor is aware of this, as well as any other allergies that you might have. Peanut oil is an inactive ingredient of Prometrium. Therefore, prometrium capsules should not be used by patients allergic to peanuts.

This drug has the tendency to cause allergic reactions and other problems; you should, therefore, talk to your pharmacist or doctor for more details. If you have any of these medical conditions, you should not use this drug:

History of blood clots, history of a brain bleed, any form of cancer, liver disease, vaginal bleeding without a known cause, recent stroke or heart attack (within a year), and pregnancy loss with tissue remaining in the uterus. See your doctor for more details.

Make sure your doctor is aware of all of your family’s medical history that you are aware of, especially breast lumps and cancer.

You should note that this drug can make you drowsy. Therefore, avoid doing anything that requires alertness until it can be performed safely.

Smoking while using this drug, increasing your chances of having strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, and high blood pressure.

When using this medication, you should limit the amount of time you spend in the sun, as its use may cause blotchy dark patches on the skin and face.

This medication can be used during pregnancy only if directed to do so by a certified doctor.

How Regularly should I use Progesterone?

Amenorrhea Treatment

Oral capsules and tablets of 400 mg should be taken once a day at the specified time for 10 days.

For 4% vaginal gel, 45 mg of the gel should be applied vaginally every day, up to a total of 6 doses.

For intramuscular injection, 5 to 10 mg should be applied intramuscularly, once a day for 6 to 8 consecutive days.

Progesterone Insufficiency

For Vaginal Insert, 100 mg should be applied vaginally 2 to 3 times a day. This medication should be started the day after oocyte retrieval. It should be used for up to 10 weeks in total.

For 8% vaginal gel, 90 mg should be applied once a day for progesterone supplementation.

For partial or complete ovarian failure that requires progesterone supplementation, 90 mg should be applied twice a day vaginally. This medication should be used for up to 10 to 12 weeks, at least until placental autonomy is achieved.

For more details on the usage of this drug, you should see your doctor. Make sure you follow the directions of use on the prescription label of this drug.

Do not increase or reduce the dosage of the drug unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor.

When should I start using Progesterone?

You should only use this drug if instructed to do so by your doctor.

You should not use this medication if you are nursing a baby as it can pass into breast milk and harm the baby.

What do I do if I forget a dose?

The time of the day you use your medication depends entirely on your doctor’s prescription.

If you miss a dose, use the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it less than 6 hours  to the time of the next dose when you remember; you should take the next dose at the regular time and skip the missed dose [This is for a 2 capsules a day prescription]. You should not double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

If you are being treated with 3 capsules a day and you forget to take a morning or evening dose, you should not take the missed one.

Caution: If you miss more than a dose, you should talk to your doctor immediately.

Micronized Progesterone dosage

Micronized Progesterone is typically taken on a rotating schedule, alternating between a period of 10 to 12 days where the progesterone is ingested, and then 16 to 18 days where no dose is taken. Your doctor will inform you on exactly which days to take the Micronized Progesterone. You must take the dose exactly as directed; do not take more or less than the prescribed amount. It is also important that you continue to take the medication, even if you feel well, for the stipulated period of time.

You should immediately call for emergency help if you show any signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Change in Vaginal discharge rate
• Blurred vision
• Mood swings
• Drowsiness or dizziness

If any of these symptoms persist, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

Serious side effects

• Unusual bleeding of the vaginal
• Depression, memory loss
• Painful urination
• Breast lumps
• Eyes/skin turning yellow
• Dark patches on skin/face
• Dark urine
• Unusual tiredness
• Abdominal pain

If you observe any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.

Rare/Severe side effects

• Problems from a blood clot (heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the legs and lungs, blindness) - this could be fatal.
• Chest, jaw or left arm pain
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Slurred speech
• Sudden changes in vision
• Vomiting
• Fainting
• Coughing blood
• Calf swell/ pain that feels warm to touch

If you observe any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Note: The above list does not represent all the side effects that can be caused by the use of Progesterone. If you notice any symptoms not listed here, you should call your doctor immediately.

Contraindications

Micronized Progesterone is not intended for women who are allergic to:

• Any of its active or inactive ingredients
• Hormonal birth control
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Any other medications
• Peanuts

The medication is also unsuitable for those with certain medical conditions, including:

• A history of blood clots
• A history of bleeding in the brain
• Liver disease
• Cancer of the breast, or other female organs
• Unknown vaginal bleeding
• Strokes or heart attacks
• Miscarriage, with some tissue remaining in the uterus
• Seizures
• Migraine headaches
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Depression

Drug interactions

When certain medications are taken in combination, their efficacy may be reduced or cease completely; it could also produce serious and adverse side-effects. Before beginning treatment with Micronized Progesterone, you must inform your doctor of all other medication you are currently taking, including any prescription and over-the counter drugs, as well as any vitamin or herbal supplements, particularly:

• Anti-seizure medications
• Antifungals
• HIV protease inhibitors
• Proton pump inhibitors
• Oral contraceptives
• St. John’s Wort