Prometrium

What Is Prometrium?

Prometrium^® (progesterone capsules) is a prescription medication approved to:

 

 

Who Makes It?

Prometrium is made by Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

 

How Does Prometrium Work?

Prometrium contains the hormone progesterone. It is structurally identical to the progesterone made naturally in the body. In fact, Prometrium is the only hormone replacement therapy medication with bio-identical progesterone that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Women who still have a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy) who take estrogen hormone replacement therapy must also take progesterone or a progestin (a synthetic progesterone-like drug) in order to prevent abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus caused by the estrogen. This abnormal thickening can lead to cancer of the lining of the uterus. Taking progesterone or a progestin decreases this risk. Of course, this applies only to women who still have a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy). For women without a uterus, progesterone is usually considered unnecessary.

 

Prometrium is also approved to cause a period in women who have stopped having periods before menopause for various reasons. Stopping the drug after taking it for a short time (usually ten days) will cause "withdrawal" bleeding (a period) within seven days of the last dose. This mimics the normal drop in progesterone levels that causes regular menstrual periods.