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Prometrium Side Effects
While most women have no problems with Prometrium, side effects may occur during treatment. The most common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and cramping. Potentially dangerous side effects are also possible. If you develop any of these serious side effects of Prometrium, such as migraines or yellowing of the skin, contact your healthcare provider right away.
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Just like any medicine, Prometrium® (progesterone capsules) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug quite well. If side effects of Prometrium do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Prometrium. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Prometrium side effects with you.)
Prometrium has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of women taking the drug were documented and then compared to the side effects that occurred in another group of women taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In studies of Prometrium for treating the absence of menstrual periods before menopause (amenorrhea), the most common Prometrium side effects included:
- Dizziness -- in up to 24 percent of women
- Abdominal (stomach) pain or cramping -- up to 20 percent
- Headaches -- up to 16 percent
- Breast pain -- up to 16 percent
- Muscle or bone aches and pains -- up to 12 percent
- Viral infections -- up to 12 percent.
Prometrium has also been studied for use in combination with estrogen medications for hormone replacement in postmenopausal women. It is important to note that some of the side effects could be due to the estrogen used in the study, not necessarily to Prometrium. Common side effects of Prometrium for postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (in combination with an estrogen) included:
- Headaches -- in up to 31 percent of women
- Breast tenderness -- up to 27 percent
- Depression -- up to 29 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 15 percent
- Abdominal bloating -- up to 12 percent
- Vaginal discharge -- up to 10 percent.
Other common side effects (occurring in 1 to 9 percent of women) for either use included:
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD