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Dydrogesterone
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Description
Dydrogesterone is a hormonal medication. It has a similar action to the female hormone known as progesterone. It is used for the treatment of menstrual conditions such as unusual menstrual bleeding or pain, irregular periods, and premenstrual syndrome (physical and emotional changes experienced by some women a few days before menstruation). Dydrogesterone is also used to treat endometriosis (growth of tissue outside the womb), female infertility, threatened abortions (vaginal bleeding that occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy), or habitual abortion (three or more consecutive pregnancy losses). This medicine is used as a component in hormone replacement therapy (a treatment to relieve symptoms of menopause).
Dydrogesterone works by imitating the activities of the natural hormone progesterone, which in turn helps to treat conditions caused due to hormonal imbalance in the body.
Dydrogesterone may cause side effects such as nausea, headache, abnormal vaginal discharge, breast pain and tenderness, etc. These side effects usually subside with time. However, consult your doctor for further assistance if they persist or worsen. Avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking this medicine.
Dydrogesterone can be taken with or without food. Take the medication at the same time every day for ease of remembering. Do not discontinue the medication without consulting your doctor. Follow the instructions given by your doctor about the dose and duration of the treatment.
Dydrogesterone is not recommended if you are allergic to it. It should be avoided if you have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, serious liver conditions, or a progesterone-dependent tumour (a type of cancer that is dependent on progesterone for growth and/or survival). Inform your doctor if you have porphyria (abnormalities in the production of an oxygen-carrying chemical known as haeme, due to the accumulation of porphyrins in the body), depression, or other medical conditions.
Dydrogesterone should be taken during pregnancy only upon your doctor’s advise. It is not recommended for use while breastfeeding due to the lack of safety information. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dydrogesterone
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Dry mouth
Indigestion
Rash
Itching
Cough
Breast pain
Depression
Mood swings
Difficulty in falling asleep
Headache
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Breast tenderness
Weight gain
Abnormal and/or painful menstruation
Uses of Dydrogesterone
What is it prescribed for?
Dysmenorrhoea
Dysmenorrhoea is severe pain and cramps in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Dydrogesterone is used to treat dysmenorrhoea.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue (a tissue that is normally lining inside the uterus) usually develops outside the uterus.
This condition is characterised by symptoms such as painful urination, stomach cramps, menstrual pain etc. Dydrogesterone is used to treat endometriosis.
Secondary Amenorrhoea
Amenorrhoea means the absence of a monthly menstrual cycle in women, especially of childbearing age due to the lack of progesterone in their body. Secondary amenorrhea is a condition with the absence of menses for 3 months or 6 months due to the formation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Dydrogesterone is used in the treatment of secondary amenorrhoea.
Menstrual abnormalities
Menstrual abnormalities are nothing but irregularities in your menstrual cycle which can occur due to various reasons. Dydrogesterone is used in the treatment of menstrual conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (physical and emotional changes experienced by some women a few days before menstruation), irregular periods, abnormal blood loss, etc.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a condition with heavy or irregular bleeding from the uterus. It may occur due to various conditions like hormonal changes, fibroids (non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb), cancer, etc. Dydrogesterone is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
Threatened abortion (bleeding occurring in during pregnancy)
Threatened abortion is a condition where vaginal bleeding occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. This bleeding mainly indicates the possibility or a signal of miscarriage or abortion. Dydrogesterone is used in treating threatened abortion, thereby preventing the risk of a miscarriage.
Habitual abortion
A condition of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses is called habitual or recurrent abortion. Dydrogesterone is used in the treatment of habitual abortion.
Infertility due to luteal Insufficiency (infertility due to lack of progesterone hormone)
Infertility is when the woman is unable to become pregnant even after trying for a longer period. It can occur due to various reasons, one of which is due to luteal insufficiency (a condition where a mass of cells in the ovary does not secrete enough progesterone). Dydrogesterone is used in the treatment of infertility due to luteal insufficiency.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment used in women with low levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. Dydrogesterone is used in combination with oestrogen as hormone replacement therapy in women with disorders due to natural or surgical-induced menopause (end of menstrual cycles in women) with an intact uterus.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time required for Dydrogesterone to show its effect is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The time duration for which Dydrogesterone remains effective in the body is clinically not established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Dydrogesterone.Usage in pregnancy?
Dydrogesterone should be used during pregnancy upon your doctor's recommendation.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known whether Dydrogesterone passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Hence consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Dydrogesterone if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Dydrogesterone is not recommended for use if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor, as it may worsen your health condition.
Progesterone-dependent cancer
Dydrogesterone is not recommended for use if you have progesterone-dependent cancer (a type of cancer that is dependent on progesterone for growth and/or survival) such as breast or uterus cancer.
Severe liver disease
Dydrogesterone is not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems as it may further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Dydrogesterone should be used during pregnancy upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Dydrogesterone passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Hence consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Driving or operating machines
Dydrogesterone may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some cases. Hence, do not perform activities that require mental alertness, such as driving vehicles or operating machines, if you experience any of these symptoms.
Use in children
Dydrogesterone is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy data.
Liver diseases
Dydrogesterone should be used with caution if you have liver problems, as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Porphyria
Dydrogesterone should be used with caution if you have porphyria (abnormalities in the production of an oxygen-carrying chemical known as haeme, due to accumulation of porphyrins in the body), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Depression
Dydrogesterone should be used with caution if you have depression (a feeling of sadness for a long period and loss of interest in daily activities), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Consult your doctor if you experience changes in mood or behaviour.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Dydrogesterone. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Dydrogesterone. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenobarbital
Nevirapine
Rifampicin
Ritonavir
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Dydrogesterone can be taken with or without food. Take the medication at the same time every day for ease of remembering.
Follow all the instructions advised by your doctor while taking the medicine. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than advised.
A regular follow-up visit with your doctor is recommended during treatment with this medicine so that he/she can evaluate your condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Dydrogesterone works by imitating the activities of the natural hormone progesterone, which in turn helps to treat conditions caused due to hormonal imbalance in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Progestins
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicine.abbott. 2022. [online] Available at: ott/content/dam/bss/divisionalsites/epd/pk/Product%20Information/Duphaston%20R3%20Final%208-2-16.pdf [Accessed 24 August 2022].
Www1.ndmctsgh.edu.tw. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 August 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Sep 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.