Progesterone is a prescription medication used to cause menstruation in women with an absence of menstrual periods due to a decrease in progesterone. Progesterone is also used in combination with estrogen-containing medications in postmenopausal women with a uterus (womb) to reduce the risk of developing cancer of the uterus.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side effects are grouped by how serious they are and how often they happen when you are treated:

Serious, but less common side effects include:

• Risk to the Fetus: Cases of cleft palate, cleft lip, hypospadias, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and other congenital heart defects.
• Abnormal Blood Clotting: Stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolus, visual loss or blindness.

Some of the warning signs of serious side effects include:

• Changes in vision or speech
• Sudden new severe headaches
• Severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue
• Dizziness and faintness
• Vomiting

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these warning signs, or any other unusual symptoms that concern you.

Less serious, but common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Breast pain
• Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fluid retention
• Vaginal yeast infection

These are not all the possible side effects of progesterone capsules. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice about side effects.

Cyclogest Precautions

• Progestins with estrogens should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia.
• Using progestins with estrogens may increase your chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots.
• Using progestins with estrogens may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women age 65 and older.
• You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with progesterone.

Do not start taking progesterone if you:

• Have unusual vaginal bleeding
• Currently have or have had certain cancers
  Estrogen plus progestin treatment may increase the chance of getting certain types of cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus. If you have or have had cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should take progesterone.
• Had a stroke or heart attack
• Currently have or have had blood clots
• Currently have or have had liver problems
• Are allergic to progesterone or any of its ingredients
• Think you may be pregnant

Capsules

Do not start taking progesterone capsules if you are allergic to peanuts. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS PEANUT OIL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS.

Cyclogest Food Interactions

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with progesterone and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Cyclogest Usage

• Progesterone are to be taken at bedtime as some women become very drowsy and/or dizzy after taking progesterone. In a few cases, symptoms may include blurred vision, difficulty speaking, difficulty with walking, and feeling abnormal. If you experience these symptoms, discuss them with your healthcare provider right away.

Capsules

• If you experience difficulty in swallowing progesterone, it is recommended that you take your daily dose at bedtime with a glass of water while in the standing position.

Cyclogest Dosage

Capsules:

• Prevention of Endometrial Hyperplasia: A postmenopausal woman with a uterus who is taking estrogens should take a single daily dose of 200 mg progesterone at bedtime for 12 continuous days per 28-day cycle.
• Secondary Amenorrhea: Progesterone may be given as a single daily dose of 400 mg at bedtime for 10 days.

Cyclogest Overdose

If you take too much progesterone, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.