PROGESTINS

Brand & Generic Names

Amen	MEGESTROL
Aygestin	Micronor
Curretab	Nor-Q.D.
Cycrin	NORETHINDRONE
Depo-Provera	NORGESTREL
Duralutin	Norlutate
Femotrone	Norlutin
Gesterol	Ovrette
Gesterol L.A.	Pro-Depo
HYDROXYPROGESTERONE	Prodrox
Hylutin	Progestaject
Hyprogest	PROGESTERONE
Hyproval P.A.	Progestilin
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE	Provera
Megace

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes, for some.
• Drug class: Female sex hormone (progestin)

Uses

• Treatment for menstrual or uterine disorders caused by progestin imbalance.
• Contraceptive (when combined with estrogens in birth control pills).
• Treatment for cancer of breast and uterus.
• Treatment for toxic sleep apnea.
• Treatment for female hormone imbalance.
• Treatment for weight loss.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. You may crumble tablet.
Injection--Under doctor's supervision.
Oral suspension--Follow package instructions.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Treatment for menstrual disorders--Take up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).
Contraceptive--Consult your doctor. You may need to use another birth-control method until next period.

What drug does:
Creates a uterine lining similar to pregnancy that prevents bleeding.
Suppresses a pituitary gland hormone responsible for ovulation.
Stimulates cervical mucus, which stops sperm penetration and prevents pregnancy.

Time lapse before drug works:
Menstrual disorders--24 to 48 hours.
Contraception--3 weeks.
Cancer--May require 2 to 3 months regular use for maximum benefit.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, breast discomfort or enlargement, vaginal bleeding.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Blood clot in leg, Seek emergency brain or lung; hives, treatment immediately. rash, intense itching, faintness soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

Appetite or weight changes, swollen feet or ankles, unusual tiredness or weakness, menstrual cycle changes.

Infrequent:

• Prolonged vaginal bleeding, pain in calf.
• Depression.
• Acne, increased facial or body hair, nausea, tender breasts, headache, enlarged clitoris.

Rare:

• Rash, stomach or side pain, jaundice, fever, vision changes.
• Amenorrhea, hair loss, insomnia, brown skin spots, voice change.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any progestin hormone.
• You may be pregnant.
• You have liver or gallbladder disease.
• You have had thrombophlebitis, embolism or stroke.
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You have had breast or uterine cancer.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heart or kidney disease.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have a seizure disorder.
• If you suffer migraines.
• If you are easily depressed.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
May harm child. Discontinue at first sign of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only for female children under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Consult doctor. This medicine stays in the body and causes fetal abnormalities. Wait at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.

Others:

• Patients with diabetes must be monitored closely.
• Symptoms of blood clot in leg, brain or lung are: chest, groin, leg pain; sudden, severe headache; loss of coordination; vision change; shortness of breath; slurred speech.
• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Bromocriptine	Decreased bromocriptine effect.
Hypoglycemics*,	Decreased effect of oral
oral	hypoglycemics.
Insulin	Decreased effect of insulin.
Phenobarbital	Decreased progestin effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased phenothiazine effect.
Phenylbutazone	Decreased progestin effect.
Rifampin	Decreased contraceptive effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased progestin effect.
Salt.	Fluid retention.
Marijuana:	Possible menstrual irregularities
	or bleeding between periods.
All forms.	Possible blood clots in lung,
	brain, legs. Avoid.