Aygestin vs. Prometrium

• Are Prometrium and Aygestin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aygestin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Prometrium?
• What Is Aygestin?
• What Is Prometrium?
• What Drugs Interact with Aygestin?
• What Drugs Interact with Prometrium?
• How Should Aygestin Be Taken?
• How Should Prometrium Be Taken?

Aygestin (norethindrone) and Prometrium (progesterone) are both forms of the female hormone progesterone.

Aygestin is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. Aygestin is also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.

Prometrium is used to prevent endometrial hyperplasia in non-hysterectomized postmenopausal women receiving conjugated estrogen tablets and also for secondary amenorrhea.

Side effects of Aygestin and Prometrium that are similar include nausea, bloating, stomach/abdominal cramps, headache, dizziness, mood swings, weight changes, acne, breast pain/swelling/tenderness, increased hair growth, and vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects of Aygestin that are different from Prometrium include vomiting, trouble sleeping, changes in sexual interest, hair loss, freckles or darkening of facial skin, skin itching or rash, or changes in your menstrual periods.

Side effects of Prometrium that are different from Aygestin include spinning sensation, musculoskeletal pain, joint pain, viral infection, diarrhea, fatigue, hot flashes, cough, blurred vision, drowsiness, and irritability.

Aygestin may cause serious side effects, including:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• stomach cramps,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• mood swings,
• trouble sleeping,
• weight gain/loss,
• increased acne,
• breast pain/swelling/tenderness,
• changes in sexual interest,
• increased hair growth,
• hair loss,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• skin itching or rash, or
• changes in your menstrual periods.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Aygestin including:

• changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., spotting, breakthrough bleeding, changes in menstrual flow, no menstrual bleeding),
• depression,
• swelling of the hands or feet,
• frequent/burning/painful urination, or
• yellowing eyes or skin.

Common side effects of Prometrium include:

• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• abdominal pain (cramping),
• headache,
• breast pain or tenderness,
• musculoskeletal pain,
• joint pain,
• viral infection,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• bloating,
• fatigue,
• hot flashes,
• cough,
• acne,
• increased hair growth,
• changes in weight,
• vaginal itching/dryness/discharge,
• blurred vision,
• drowsiness,
• mood swings, and
• irritability.

Aygestin (norethindrone) is a form of progesterone, a female hormone, used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. Aygestin is also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.

Prometrium (progesterone) is a progestin, a female hormone, prescribed for the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women receiving conjugated estrogens tablets and also for secondary amenorrhea. Prometrium is available as a generic drug.

Aygestin may interact with griseofulvin, rifampin, St. John's wort, ketoconazole or itraconazole, barbiturates, or HIV medicines. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Smoking combined with this medication increases your risk for strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. Aygestin must not be used during pregnancy because it may harm a fetus, especially during the first 4 months of pregnancy. This drug passes into breast milk.

Drug interactions include inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 (for example, ketoconazole), colchicine, dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa), silodosin (Rapaflo) and aminoglutethimide (Cytadren). Do not use Prometrium without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Talk to your doctor about using birth control while you are using Prometrium.

The dosage and the duration of treatment with Aygestin is based on the patient's medical condition and response to therapy. Follow doctor's instructions. Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within three to seven days after discontinuing Aygestin therapy.

Prometrium dose depends on the condition that is being treated.