Duphastone

[fabian24]

My wife is almost 10 weeks pregnant and she has been prescribed Duphastone. Doe any one have an idea till when she will have to continue this medicine? And is this medicine safe ?

 

[WishingHoping]

I haven't heard of it personally but this is what I found regarding the name of the medication :

Duphastone is the brand name given to it by the company. The name of the medicine is a hormone called dydrogesterone (progesterone). This product is indicated in women trying to conceive if there is proven, documented deficiency of the progesterone hormone (during luteal phase). Once conception has taken place, progesterone hormone is indicated only in pregnanices due to assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF etc. or in cases of habitual abortion (repeated miscarriages). Misuse and overuse of progesterone can lead to a number of side effects including fetal death and spontaneous abortion (more so in the first three months of gestation), musculanisation of female fetus (such as unwanted hair on face), birth defects in babies such as cleft palate and heart defects. Therefore in the United States, the use of this progesterone during "known or suspected pregnancy" is banned. During pregnancy, one should take the most minimal mandatory medicines such as folic acid 5mg daily (such as Folet). If there is anaemia, then one should take an iron preparation along with folic acid (such as Probofex), one capsule a day.

I assume your wife is on this because she does not produce enough progesterone to help a "healthy" pregnancy? Or you had IVF or suffered multiple misscarriages? (I only say that by going from the information above) it also states this medicine is banned in the US due to the unknown side affects it could have on the baby. However I don't know if you are from the UK & if this is okay to use here. I assume your doctor would not prescribe something that would affect your baby; did they mention birth defects if this medicine was taken??

Maybe another lady who takes medication for progesterone can help more but by going from the information I found personally I wouldn't take this. I would read the information booklet & see what it says regarding pregnant women. I would also book another appointment with your doctor & ask them to explain why this medicine is banned in some counties due to birth defects but has been prescribed to your wife.

Please do not panic or worry though I am not a doctor I am purely going from the information I found above.

I hope everything turns out okay for you both.

xx

 

[WishingHoping]

Have spoken to a friend who is also on here who uses progesterone medication & she said this is what her friend is on & what she is on :

"Just text her....shes an ivf pro at this stage. She was on duphastone oral. Then was moved to cyclogest, and onto injections. I looked up duphastone vs cyclogest and both seem to do the same job. But one (duphastone) is oral and cyclogest is suppositories. Neither are intended for long term use. Just until placenta takes over. I was offered oral or suppositories, gp recommend the cyclogest as it has better effects."

I hope that helps x

 

[fabian24]

Thank for the information.
The history is that my wife is having PCOS and it was quite difficult for her to conceive.
The doctor has put her on Duphastone and it's being monitored.
I am a bit worried as the her consulting doctor is on emergency leave and will be back on 3rd August, 2015.
It will be 12 weeks by then. My dilemma is should I wait till the 12th week or should I go and visit another doctor to take an opinion.

Till date she is doing pretty well. My concern is that she keeps getting frequent migraines.

By what week will the placenta take over ?

 

[WishingHoping]

I have PCOS & so do a lot of other women but I've not heard of them being put on this medication for it. Although I could be wrong.

This link may be helpful as it seems the reason women are too take it to so help with carrying a baby after multiple miscarriages. It also states that in March 2008 this product was discontinued in the UK & to speak to another doctor in regards to why this is now being used again. A second opinion may be better.

The placenta is forming all the time but I believe takes over around 11/12 weeks but also best to ask your doctor.

http://m.netdoctor.co.uk/womens-health/medicines/duphaston.html

Hope your doctor is helpful!!