progesterone

What is the most important information I should know about progesterone?

Progesterone should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is a female hormone important for the regulation of ovulation and menstruation.

Progesterone is used to cause menstrual periods in women who have not yet reached menopause but are not having periods due to a lack of progesterone in the body. Progesterone is also used to prevent overgrowth in the lining of the uterus in postmenopausal women who are receiving estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

Progesterone should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.

Progesterone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using progesterone?

• abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked;
• a history of breast cancer;
• liver disease;
• a peanut allergy;
• if you are pregnant;
• if you have had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot within the past year; or
• if you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or "missed" abortion.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease, circulation problems;
• migraines;
• asthma;
• kidney disease;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• a history of depression; or
• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus, high cholesterol, family history of coronary artery disease, smoking, being overweight).

How should I use progesterone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Apply progesterone cream to the skin as directed by your doctor.

Progesterone is sometimes used for only a short time, such as 10 to 12 days during each menstrual cycle. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using progesterone.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using progesterone?

What are the possible side effects of progesterone?

• unusual vaginal bleeding;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• a breast lump;
• sudden vision problems, severe headache or pain behind your eyes;
• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes);
• severe dizziness or drowsiness, spinning sensation, confusion, shortness of breath;
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with speech or balance;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung --chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or
• signs of a blood clot in your leg --pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• breast pain;
• mood changes;
• headache;
• constipation, diarrhea, heartburn;
• bloating, swelling in your hands or feet;
• joint pain;
• hot flashes; or
• vaginal discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect progesterone?

There may be other drugs that can interact with progesterone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about progesterone.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.01. Revision date: 3/26/2015.