tibolone at a glance
Medicine class
Synthetic hormone replacement therapy
Form
Oral tablet
Food
May be taken with or without food
Contraception
Does not prevent pregnancy
What is tibolone used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Relief of oestrogen-deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women whose menopause occurred more than a year previously.
Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high fracture risk when other licensed osteoporosis medicines are unsuitable.
How does tibolone work?
Tibolone is converted into three active metabolites. Two have oestrogen-like activity, while another has progestogenic and androgenic activity. Together, they replace some hormonal effects lost after menopause and help preserve bone.
tibolone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg
How to take tibolone
Follow the prescription label and pack leaflet. Swallow the tablet whole with water or another drink; do not chew or crush it. It may be taken with or without food.
tibolone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Breast tenderness
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- Vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge
- Vaginal itching, inflammation or thrush
- Increased hair growth
- Weight increase
Get urgent medical advice
- Pain, redness or swelling in one leg
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness or coughing blood
- Sudden facial weakness, speech difficulty or limb weakness
- Jaundice or worsening liver function
- New severe or migraine-type headache
- Severe allergic reaction
- Persistent, newly developing or post-treatment vaginal bleeding
tibolone in pregnancy
Tibolone is contraindicated during pregnancy and is not contraception. If pregnancy occurs, stop taking it and contact a doctor or midwife. Human pregnancy safety information is very limited.
tibolone while breastfeeding
Tibolone is contraindicated while breastfeeding because information about transfer into milk, effects on the infant and milk production is insufficient. Discuss alternatives with a prescriber.
tibolone interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products.
Warfarin and other anticoagulants
Tibolone may increase anticoagulant effects; closer monitoring and anticoagulant adjustment may be needed when tibolone is started or stopped.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin and barbiturates
These enzyme-inducing medicines may increase tibolone metabolism and reduce its effect.
Common questions about tibolone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tibolone a type of HRT?
Yes. It is a synthetic hormone replacement therapy used after menopause.
Does tibolone contain oestrogen or progesterone?
It does not contain those hormones directly. The body converts tibolone into metabolites with oestrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic effects.
Can tibolone help prevent osteoporosis?
Yes. The selected product is licensed for certain postmenopausal women at high fracture risk when other licensed osteoporosis medicines are unsuitable.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.