Before taking progesterone

Before taking progesterone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have ever had breast cancer, cervical cancer, or a liver tumour.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you have heart problems or high blood pressure.
• If you have ever suffered from depression.
• If you have diabetes mellitus.
• If you suffer from migraine.
• If you have ever suffered from thrombosis (a clot in a blood vessel).
• If you have asthma or epilepsy.
• If you have been suffering from unexplained or irregular bleeding from your vagina.
• If during a pregnancy you have suffered from jaundice, severe pruritus (itching) or pemphigoid gestationis (a blistering skin disease occurring during pregnancy).
• If you suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take progesterone

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take progesterone exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Try to take progesterone at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
  
  Progesterone capsules:
  Take the capsules at bedtime on an empty stomach. This means that you must not take them with or soon after eating food.
  
  Progesterone vaginal gel:
  Use 1 applicatorful daily into the vagina on the days you have been told to by your doctor.
  
  Progesterone pessaries:
  The pessary form of progesterone is designed to be inserted into the vagina. It can also be used as a suppository to be inserted into the rectum (back passage). If you have been given pessaries but are unsure which is the correct way for you to use them, check with your doctor.
  
  Progesterone injection:
  Make sure you know how to use this injection. If you are unsure which days to use it or how much to use, check with your doctor or clinic. Change the place where you inject it into your body regularly, to help prevent skin problems and difficulties in injecting.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you are diabetic you should check your blood sugar regularly to check that your diabetes is well controlled.
• Progesterone does not stop ovulation. If you need contraception you should discuss this with your doctor who may suggest an alternative treatment.
• Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with progesterone.
• If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

Can progesterone cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

How to store progesterone

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Cyclogest® 200 mg and 400 mg, Actavis UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated June 2009, accessed June 2010.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Gestone® 50 mg/ml & 100 mg/2 ml, Nordic Pharma Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2008, accessed June 2010.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Utrogestan® 100 mg Capsules, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated July 2009, accessed June 2010.
• British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)