Duphaston

Duphaston (dydrogesterone)

Generic name: Duphaston

Brand names: Diphaston, Dufaston, Duvaron, Dydrogesterona, Gestatron, Gynorest, Hydrogesterone, Isopregnenone, Prodel, Retrone

What is Duphaston (dydrogesterone) used for?

Duphaston treats conditions where there is a lack of the female hormone progesterone. It is used for:

• restoring bleeding in the absence of menstrual periods
• controlling irregular bleeding which is due to hormonal imbalance
• the treatment of endometriosis, which is a disease where fragments of the lining of the uterus grow outside the womb in the pelvic cavity
• painful periods which do not have any specific cause such as fibroids or infection
• a supplement for menopausal women who are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in which it helps to protect the uterus

Duphaston is an artificial hormone similar to human progesterone. It belongs to a group of hormones called progestogens.
Duphaston has been approved for the uses listed above. Duphaston may also be used for other purposes prescribed by your medical assistant and not listed above.
Duphaston is not addictive.

When shouldn’t Duphaston (dydrogesterone) be used?

Do not use oestrogens, with or without a progestogen to prevent heart attacks, stroke or dementia.
A study called the Women’s Health Initiative indicated increased risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots in the legs or lungs in females receiving treatment with a product containing conjugated oestrogens 0. 625 mg and the progestogen medoxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The researchers stopped the study after 5 years when it was determined the risks were greater than the benefits in this group.

The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study indicated increased risk of dementia in women aged 65-79 years taking conjugated oestrogens and MPA. There are no comparable data currently available for other doses of conjugated oestrogens and MPA or other combinations of oestrogens and progestogens. Therefore, you should assume the risks will be similar for other medications containing oestrogen and progestogen combinations.

Talk regularly with your medical assistant about whether you still need treatment with Duphaston.
Treatment with oestrogens, with or without progestogens should be used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period of time.

What should you know before taking Duphaston (dydrogesterone)?

When you must not take it:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should only be used if you have been fully informed of the risks.
The decision to use HRT should be based on your particular needs and health, and made after a careful medical evaluation.

Do not take Duphaston:

• if you have any blood clotting problems, or have had a stroke or a heart attack
• if you have liver or gall bladder disease
• if you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), which can occur with an intense generalised itching during pregnancy, or run in families
• if you have, or are suspected to have, cancer of the breast or genitals, or some form of oestrogen (female hormone) dependent cancer
• if you have had liver cancer due to taking oral contraceptives
• if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been seen by a doctor
• if you know you have abnormal red blood cells (sickle cell anaemia)
• if you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. Duphaston may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
• if you have ever had herpes during pregnancy
• if you have had a certain type of miscarriage known as missed abortion
• if you are breastfeeding. Duphaston passes into breast milk and therefore there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected.
• if you know you are allergic to Duphaston or any of its ingredients. Signs of allergy include a rash, irritation, breathing difficulties
  And swollen face or neck.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Duphaston, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it:

Tell your healthcare professional if you have allergies to:

• any other medications
• any other substances such as foods, dyes or preservatives.

You may need close monitoring if you have certain medical conditions.

Tell your healthcare professional if you have any of the following:

• epilepsy
• migraine
• asthma
• heart or kidney problems
• depression

Tell your medical assistant if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Your doctor will advise you whether you should take Duphaston tablets.
If you have not told your medical assistant about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Duphaston.

Your healthcare professional will give you a thorough examination prior to prescribing this medicine and will give you further examinations regularly during treatment. Your medical assistant is likely to check your blood pressure, breasts, tummy, and do a Pap smear test.

What are special warning when taking Duphaston (dydrogesterone)?

Although not reported with the use of Duphaston tablets, users of other progestogens (contained in oral contraceptives) may be exposed to an increased risk of a number of serious conditions. These include blood clots, liver tumours, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, stroke and heart attack. Ask your medical assistant about the risks involved with taking progestogens for a long time.

How should Duphaston (dydrogesterone) be taken?

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this article.
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets you will need to take each day.
The dose and treatment time with Duphaston tablets depends on the condition being treated and response to therapy.

DOSAGE

Absence of periods:

The usual dose is 1 or 2 tablets one or two times daily, from the 15th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle.
Sometimes the tablets will be given from the 5th to the 25th day.
Treatment will usually be for 3 to 6 months.
If the pills are to be given in combination with an oestrogen, then the usual dose is one tablet daily from the 11th to the 25th day.
In patients with very irregular cycles who are given Duphaston to start bleeding, the usual dose is one tablet a day for 5 days.

Irregular bleeding:

To stop bleeding, 1 or 2 tablets are given one or two times daily for 5-10 days.

To prevent further heavy bleeding, 1 or 2 pills are given one or two times a day from the 11th to 25th day of the menstrual cycle and repeated when necessary.

Endometriosis:

The usual dose is 1 or 2 tablets one or two times a day from the 5th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle. Sometimes the tablets are taken continuously.

Painful periods:

The usual dose is 1 or 2 tablets given one or two times daily from the 5th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle.

Supplement to Hormone Replacement Therapy:

One tablet a day for 10-12 days per month is the usual dose for most patients. In the event of unacceptable bleeding patterns the dose may be increased to 2 tablets a day for 10-12 days.

Swallow the tablets with a glass of water
Take Duphaston at about the same time each day.
Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the pills.
It does not matter if you take Duphaston before or after food.
Take your medicine for as long as your medical assistant tells you to.

What happens if you miss a dose?

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at once.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you forget to take Duphaston, do so as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

What happens if you overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this drug.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Signs of overdose are feeling sick and vaginal bleeding in females.

What shoud you know while taking Duphaston?

Things you must do:

• If you become pregnant while taking this drug, tell your healthcare professional.
• Tell any healthcare professional if you go for any types of tests that you are taking Duphaston pills. The pills may change the results of the tests.
• If you are taking Duphaston with an oestrogen for hormone replacement therapy include foods that are good sources of calcium and Vitamin D in your daily diet and exercise regularly. Calcium, Vitamin D and exercise may help prevent thinning of the bones. Your medical assistant can advise you on which foods and types of exercise are best for you. Before starting any new medication, tell your healthcare professional or pharmacist that you are taking Duphaston.
• Tell all doctor, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Duphaston
• Tell your medical assistant if you have any prolonged or recurrent vaginal bleeding which is unusual while taking Duphaston pills.

Things you must not do:

Do not stop taking Duphaston or change the dose without checking with your medical assistant.
Do not give Duphaston to any one else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take Duphaston to treat any other complaints unless your healthcare professional tells you to.

What are Duphaston (dydrogesterone) side effects?

Tell your healthcare professional immediately if you do not feel well while you are taking Duphaston.
All medicines can have side effects. Often they are not serious but sometimes they can be. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• dizziness or headache
• breast pain or tenderness
• acne
• swelling of the ankles and feet
• weight change
• feeling sick
• change in body and facial hair

These are all mild side effects of Duphaston.

Tell your healthcare professional immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you notice any of the following:

• menstrual changes, which may include change in the pattern, change in the cycle length, spotting, breakthrough bleeding, or no bleeding at all
• severe and/or sudden headache
• if you faint
• shortness of breath, slurred speech, or vision changes
• soreness of the veins particularly in the legs or groin
• heart or lung problems
• depression
• severe stomach pains
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• skin rash, or irritation

These are all serious side effects of Duphaston. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your healthcare professional.

What other medications will affect Duphaston (dydrogesterone)?

Check your healthcare professional about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other medical assistants. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should be proper storage of Duphaston (dydrogesterone)?

Keep your Duphaston in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C away from light.
Keep Duphaston out of the reach of children and away from domestic animals.

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible drug interactions, precautions, adverse effects, directions, warnings, uses or allergic reactions.