What are the risks of taking progesterone (Prometrium)?
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Capsule form only:
Blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes:
Risk factors: Taking progesterone with estrogens; High blood pressure; diabetes; high cholesterol; smoking; overweight; history of systemic lupus erythematosus (LE); personal or family history of blood clots and strokes.
Taking progesterone or any progestin therapy with estrogen medications can increase your risk of developing blood clots leading to a heart attack, stroke, or a pulmonary embolism (a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs). Smoking and a history of blood clots are the two most significant risk factors. If any of these cardiovascular events occur or are suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. Breast cancer:
Risk factors: Personal or family history of breast cancer; long-term use of progesterone and estrogen together.
Taking progesterone and estrogen together can raise your risk of developing breast cancer.. Perform breast self-examinations at least monthly. Talk to your healthcare provider about early detection and other ways to protect yourself, especially if you or someone in your family has had a history of breast cancer. Dementia:
Risk factors: Age 65 and older; taking progesterone with estrogens.
Taking progesterone and estrogen medications together can raise your risk of developing dementia. This risk is higher if you start using this combination of medicines at 65 or older. Progesterone should not be used to prevent dementia. Talk to your healthcare provider if this concerns you. Dizziness and drowsiness:
Progesterone can make you drowsy; this effect is temporary but can affect your ability to drive or focus. It is best to take this medication at bedtime. You should not take progesterone if you have less than 8 hours before driving or performing activities that require mental focus.
Injection form only:
- Pneumonia:
Risk factor: Progesterone injection containing sesame oil
Certain progesterone injections can contain sesame oil that potentially leads to an increased risk of having pneumonia. This particular type of pneumonia can affect your ability to breathe effectively. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience sudden shortness of breath, cough, fever, and chest pain that worsens with a deep breath. This condition can be life-threatening and can happen during the first 2 to 4 weeks after using this medication.
Other dosage forms:
- Fluid retention:
Risk factors: heart failure; history of kidney disease
Progesterone can cause extra fluid retention in the body. The risk is higher if you have heart failure or kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have problems with fluid retention (swelling) before using progesterone. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice swelling or rapid weight gain or if you have sudden, unusual shortness of breath. - Vision problems:
Risk factor: taking progesterone with estrogens.
Taking progesterone with estrogens can cause an increased risk of developing blood clots in your retina ( a layer of tissue in the back of the eye) - this is a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you have severe double vision, unexplained, sudden loss of vision, or if your eyeball is bulging out of its socket. Progesterone and estrogens must be discontinued permanently.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at high risk for the above complications.
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What should I tell my doctor before starting progesterone (Prometrium)?
You should tell your doctor if you are allergic to progesterone, oral birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy.
Progesterone capsule contains peanut oil; you should not use it if you are allergic to peanuts.
Progesterone is not a safe option for you if you have:
- A history of breast cancer
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease
- If you are pregnant
- History of a recent cardiovascular event such as a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot
- If you had a recent incomplete miscarriage
Make sure you inform your doctor if you have:
- Asthma
- Circulation problems
- Heart disease
- Migraines
- Kidney disease
- Depression
- Seizures
Other risk factors for coronary artery disease include: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, lupus, a family history of coronary artery disease, smoking, and obesity.
You should not use progesterone if you are pregnant, as progesterone can harm the fetus. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant while using progesterone or planning to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding; progesterone can pass into breast milk and harm the nursing baby.
What precautions should I take while on progesterone (Prometrium)?
Progesterone can make you drowsy. It is best to take this medication at bedtime. You should not take progesterone if you have less than 8 hours before driving or performing activities that require mental focus.
If you are about to have any type of surgery, inform your surgeon or dentist that you are using progesterone.
If grapefruit juice is a big part of your daily diet, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist about drinking grapefruit juice while taking progesterone.
What drugs can interact with progesterone (Prometrium)?
Other drugs, including prescriptions, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and vitamins, may interact with progesterone. It is highly recommended to keep a list of all the drug products you are using (prescriptions, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, natural products, and vitamins) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
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