Drug Breakdown: Utrogestan

Day 1: Popular as part of HRT regimens, micronised progesterone e.g. #Utrogestan was developed in the 1980s to overcome issues with synthetic progestin. Derived from plants such as yam, it is bio-identical to human progesterone

Day 2: Depending on the HRT regimen oral micronised progesterone such as #Utrogestan may be given 200 mg nocte as part of cyclical HRT regimens or 100 mg nocte as continuous HRT

Day 3: The micronisation process creates tiny particles (<10 micrometres) enhancing absorption & >consistent release of progesterone/stable levels. Good oral absorption/do not take with food as can increase absorption & lead to side effects. High protein binding. Liver metabolism & mainly renal elimination/some enterohepatic recycling

Day 4: Chemically & structurally identical to naturally occurring progesterone (PG), #Utrogestan can act at PG receptor sites to oppose HRT related oestrogen exposure for women with a uterus. This reduces the risk of endometrial thickening/cancer

Day 5: ADEs: Common include headache, breast pain, insomnia. Rare, eye disorders, loss of appetite, anaphylactoid reaction (NOT exhaustive). The progesterone (PG) component of HRT can increase risk of some cancers; e.g. breast. This is dependent on duration of HRT; risk is minimised with a ‘natural’ PG such as #Utrogestan