Duphaston 10mg Tablets

Dydrogesterone is a progestogen, a man-made hormone very similar to progesterone, which the body makes naturally. When the body does not make enough progesterone, it helps restore the balance between progesterone and estrogen.

It may be used:

• for painful, irregular, very heavy or long periods
• to restart periods that have stopped before the menopause
• to ease symptoms of endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• with an estrogen as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women who have a womb, to protect the womb lining

Take it exactly as your doctor tells you. The days of your cycle on which you take it, and for how long, depend on why it was prescribed.

• Swallow the tablet with water. You can take it with or without food.
• Try to take it at the same times each day. If you take more than one tablet a day, spread them out evenly.
• If you forget a dose, take it when you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip it and take the next dose as usual. Never take a double dose. Missed doses may cause bleeding or spotting.
• Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.

Common side effects include:

• headache or migraine
• feeling sick
• sore or tender breasts
• changes in periods, such as irregular, heavier, painful or missed bleeding, or spotting

Stop taking it and get medical help straight away if you have:

• yellow skin or eyes, weakness or tummy pain (possible liver problems)
• swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
• painful swelling in a leg, sudden chest pain or breathlessness (possible blood clot)
• a sudden severe headache, or vision, hearing or memory changes, fits or weakness in the arms or legs
• breast lumps, dimpling or nipple changes

Do not take it if you have, or have had, a meningioma (a usually benign brain tumour), unexplained vaginal bleeding, severe liver disease or liver tumours, or blood clots. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you:

• have high blood pressure, depression or liver problems
• have porphyria, or have had jaundice or itching linked to pregnancy or hormones
• have had a stroke
• take epilepsy medicines (such as carbamazepine or phenytoin), rifampicin, some HIV medicines, or St John's wort, sage or ginkgo
• are due to have surgery while on HRT

This medicine does not need any special storage conditions. Keep it out of the sight and reach of children.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: if you are pregnant or could be, talk to your doctor, who will explain the benefits and risks. Do not take it while breastfeeding.

HRT: when used with estrogen as HRT, there is a small increase in the risk of breast cancer, blood clots and stroke. Go for regular check-ups and breast screening.

Bleeding: see your doctor if bleeding or spotting continues for months or starts after a while on treatment.

Driving: it may make you slightly sleepy or dizzy. Do not drive if affected.