dydrogesterone at a glance
Medicine class
Orally active progestogen.
Main uses
Painful or irregular periods, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, selected bleeding disorders and endometrial protection during oestrogen therapy.
Administration
Take by mouth with water, with or without food, following the prescription.
Driving
Dizziness or sleepiness can occur, particularly soon after taking it. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
What is dydrogesterone used for?
Licensed uses for the selected single-ingredient product include:
Painful periods caused by progesterone insufficiency.
Endometriosis.
Irregular menstrual cycles.
Premenstrual syndrome.
Opposing oestrogen’s effect on the womb lining during hormone replacement therapy in women who have not had a hysterectomy.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding or secondary amenorrhoea, sometimes with oestrogen.
How does dydrogesterone work?
Dydrogesterone activates progesterone receptors. In an oestrogen-primed womb lining, it promotes progesterone-associated secretory changes and helps prevent excessive stimulation by oestrogen. It has no clinically relevant oestrogenic or androgenic activity.
dydrogesterone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take dydrogesterone
Follow the prescription carefully because when dydrogesterone is taken depends on the condition and sometimes the menstrual or HRT cycle.
Swallow the film-coated tablet with water.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
dydrogesterone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or migraine.
- Nausea.
- Breast pain or tenderness.
- Irregular, heavy, painful, prolonged or absent periods.
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction or swelling of the face or throat, particularly with breathing difficulty.
- Liver problems, potentially causing jaundice, abdominal pain, weakness or marked malaise.
- New severe headache, sudden visual disturbance or symptoms suggesting a meningioma.
- When combined with oestrogen, symptoms suggesting a blood clot, heart attack or stroke.
dydrogesterone in pregnancy
The selected product is not authorised for use during pregnancy. Contact the prescriber if pregnancy occurs or is suspected.
dydrogesterone while breastfeeding
The selected product should not be taken while breastfeeding because it is unknown whether dydrogesterone enters breast milk or poses a risk to the infant. Discuss an alternative with the prescriber.
dydrogesterone interactions
Medicines and herbal products that increase CYP enzyme activity may speed up dydrogesterone metabolism and reduce its effect.
Phenobarbital, phenytoin or carbamazepine
These enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines may reduce dydrogesterone’s effect.
Rifampicin or rifabutin
These antibiotics may increase dydrogesterone metabolism and reduce its effect.
Nevirapine or efavirenz
These antiviral medicines may reduce dydrogesterone exposure and effectiveness.
Common questions about dydrogesterone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is dydrogesterone prescribed with oestrogen?
In someone with a uterus, it can oppose oestrogen’s effect on the womb lining and reduce excessive endometrial stimulation during HRT.
Can dydrogesterone be taken with food?
Yes. The tablet can be taken with or without food and with water.
Can dydrogesterone cause spotting or irregular bleeding?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.