Hydroxyprogesterone
About
Hydroxyprogesterone belongs to the category of a synthetic progesterone female hormone called progestin used to prevent premature labor. Premature labor can start before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy and can be caused due to premature rupture of membranes, high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), and poor diet. Preterm labor symptoms include leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina, feeling of pressure in the pelvis, and cramps that feel like menstrual cramps regularly.
Hydroxyprogesterone contains 'Hydroxyprogesterone' a progestin (female hormones) that modulates the immune response of pregnant women to prevent rejection of the embryo and allow its attachment to the uterus. Hydroxyprogesterone prevents miscarriage and helps lower the risk of premature birth in pregnant women who have had past premature labor. Hydroxyprogesterone should be administered only to those pregnant women who are pregnant with one baby or who have had a preterm (premature) delivery of one baby in the past.
Hydroxyprogesterone will be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, itching, hives (skin rashes), swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and diarrhea. Not everybody experiences these side effects. Most of the side effects of Hydroxyprogesterone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Talk to your doctor if you feel any discomfort while taking Hydroxyprogesterone.
Before starting Hydroxyprogesterone, please inform your doctor if you have an allergy to any medicines, have unusual vaginal bleeding related to your pregnancy, liver disease, severe hypertension (high blood pressure), or history of breast cancer uterus, or vagina. Tell your doctor before using Hydroxyprogesterone if you have had pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), thromboembolic disorders (blood clot form in the blood), diabetes, depression, or epilepsy. Hydroxyprogesterone may cause dizziness, so be cautious while driving and operating machinery. Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Hydroxyprogesterone
Medicinal Benefits
Hydroxyprogesterone contains “Hydroxyprogesterone” a progestin (female hormones) that is used in pregnant women who have delivered a baby too early (preterm) in the past. It works by modulating the immune response of pregnant women to prevent the rejection of the embryo and allow its attachment to the uterus. Hydroxyprogesterone prevents miscarriage and helps lower the risk of premature birth in pregnant women who have had a past premature delivery.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Hydroxyprogesterone
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itching
- Hives (skin rashes)
- Swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Diarrhea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
You should not take Hydroxyprogesterone without a doctor's advice. Before starting Hydroxyprogesterone, please inform your doctor if you have an allergy to any medicines. Do not take Hydroxyprogesterone if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that is not related to your pregnancy, liver disease, severe hypertension (high blood pressure), or history of cancer of the breast, uterus or vagina. Tell your doctor before using Hydroxyprogesterone if you have had preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), thromboembolic disorders (blood clot form in the blood), diabetes, depression, or epilepsy. Do not take Hydroxyprogesterone on your own. Hydroxyprogesterone can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Use caution while driving a motor vehicle as dizziness or drowsiness may occur. Let your doctor know if you are a breastfeeding mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing them to you. Hydroxyprogesterone is not recommended for children younger than 16 years old. Hydroxyprogesterone is not intended for use in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: This Hydroxyprogesterone interacts with pain killers (acetaminophen) anti-epilepsy medicines (primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine), antidiabetics (metformin, glimepiride, glipizide, canagliflozin), medicines used to treat HIV (efavirenz) medicine used to treat fungal infections (griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole).
Drug-Food Interaction: Hydroxyprogesterone may interact with grapefruit and alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Hydroxyprogesterone should be taken with caution in breast cancer, thromboembolism (blood clot form in blood vessels), depression, diabetes, fluid retention (excess fluid builds up within the body), kidney or liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThere is not enough scientific data available for Hydroxyprogesterone interaction with alcohol, hence it is best to consult a doctor.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedSafe if prescribed.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Hydroxyprogesterone during breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionIt is advised to drive with caution after taking Hydroxyprogesterone as it may interfere with driving capabilities. It can make you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionHydroxyprogesterone should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionHydroxyprogesterone should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeHydroxyprogesterone not indicated for use in children. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients less than 16 years of age have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for reduced risk of preterm delivery.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- Prefer more whole foods and grains instead of processed ones. Avoid the intake of processed foods, and foods high in sugar and fat.
- Avoid stress as it can increase the chances of preterm delivery. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Do regular physical activity and yoga, it keeps you fit and helps improve blood circulation and regulates oxygen supply, thereby improve the chances of carrying your baby full term.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of premature delivery.
- Keep your weight under control.
- Try to avoid alcohol as it can affect your stomach and intestine and limit the absorption of the important nutrients required by your body.
Special Advise
- You should not be treated with Hydroxyprogesterone if you are allergic to hydroxyprogesterone or castor oil.
- Hydroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use in women less than 16 years of age.
- Hydroxyprogesterone will not stop premature labor in the women in whom it has already begun.
- Hydroxyprogesterone is for women pregnant with only 1 child and not for use in women who are pregnant with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Preterm labor is also called premature labor when your baby starts getting ready for birth too early in your pregnancy. It can start before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Premature labor can be caused by premature rupture of membranes, high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), and poor diet. Symptoms of preterm labor include leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina, feeling of pressure in the pelvis, and cramps that feel like menstrual cramps regularly. Few premature babies need special care and also have long-term mental and physical disabilities.
FAQs
Hydroxyprogesterone may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and omit driving and operating machinery if you are feeling dizzy.
Hydroxyprogesterone may cause weight gain. It can be due to water retention. If you feel that you are gaining a lot of weight while taking Hydroxyprogesterone, please consult your doctor.
Hydroxyprogesterone should be taken in the dose and duration as prescribed by the doctor.
Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone secreted by the female reproductive part in the second half of the menstrual cycle for preparing the release of the egg in the uterus. It is also necessary for the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus, for maintaining pregnancy and in the hormonal replacement therapy in women deficient of progesterone.
Some of the common side effects of Hydroxyprogesterone include nausea, vomiting, itching, hives (skin rashes), swelling in the face, lips, tongue or throat, diarrhoea.
You should stop using Hydroxyprogesterone and tell a doctor before using Hydroxyprogesterone if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease, liver cancer, jaundice during pregnancy, circulation problems or bleeding problems, stroke, blood clot problems, breast cancer, uterus/cervix/vaginal cancer.
