Progesterone, Natural (OTC)

Brand and Other Names:

Suggested Dosing

20 mg (1/4 tsp) cream/day applied topically to thighs or upper arms, for 20 days out of each month

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Suggested Uses

Vasomotor symptoms of menopause, osteoporosis, PMS

Efficacy

Positive studies for menopausal vasomotor symptoms

Results mixed or negative for osteoporosis, PMS

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Progesterone, Natural

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            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (20)

              • apalutamide

                apalutamide will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • bosentan

                bosentan will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • bosutinib

                progesterone, natural increases levels of bosutinib by P-glycoprotein (MDR1) efflux transporter. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • carbamazepine

                carbamazepine will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • clarithromycin

                clarithromycin will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • cobicistat

                cobicistat will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • enzalutamide

                enzalutamide will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • fedratinib

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of fedratinib by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid coadministration of fedratinib (a CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 substrate) with dual CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 inhibitor. Effect of coadministration of a dual CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 inhibitor with fedratinib has not been studied.

              • fosphenytoin

                fosphenytoin will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • idelalisib

                idelalisib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Idelalisib is a strong CYP3A inhibitor; avoid coadministration with sensitive CYP3A substrates

              • ivosidenib

                ivosidenib will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid coadministration of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates with ivosidenib or replace with alternative therapies. If coadministration is unavoidable, monitor patients for loss of therapeutic effect of these drugs.

              • lonafarnib

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of lonafarnib by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. If coadministration of lonafarib (a sensitive CYP3A substrate) with weak CYP3A inhibitors is unavoidable, reduce to or continue lonafarnib at starting dose. During coadministration, closely monitor for arrhythmias and events (eg, syncope, heart palpitations).

              • lorlatinib

                lorlatinib will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • nelfinavir

                nelfinavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • phenytoin

                phenytoin will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Use of nonhormonal contraceptives advised

              • pomalidomide

                progesterone, natural increases levels of pomalidomide by P-glycoprotein (MDR1) efflux transporter. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.

              • rifabutin

                rifabutin will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Use of nonhormonal contraceptives advised

              • rifampin

                rifampin will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Use of nonhormonal contraceptives advised

              • rifapentine

                rifapentine will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Use of nonhormonal contraceptives advised

              • tucatinib

                tucatinib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid concomitant use of tucatinib with CYP3A substrates, where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities. If unavoidable, reduce CYP3A substrate dose according to product labeling.

              Monitor Closely (42)

              • amobarbital

                amobarbital will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • atazanavir

                atazanavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • avapritinib

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of avapritinib by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • axitinib

                progesterone, natural increases levels of axitinib by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • betrixaban

                progesterone, natural increases levels of betrixaban by P-glycoprotein (MDR1) efflux transporter. Use Caution/Monitor. Decrease betrixaban dose to 80 mg PO once, then 40 mg PO qDay if coadministered with a P-gp inhibitor.

              • cenobamate

                cenobamate will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Increase dose of CYP3A4 substrate, as needed, when coadministered with cenobamate.

              • ceritinib

                ceritinib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • chloramphenicol

                chloramphenicol will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • conivaptan

                conivaptan will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • dabrafenib

                dabrafenib will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.

              • darunavir

                darunavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • efavirenz

                efavirenz will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF

                elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF increases levels of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Cobicistat is a CYP3A4 inhibitor; contraindicated with CYP3A4 substrates for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events.

              • etravirine

                etravirine will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • fedratinib

                fedratinib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Adjust dose of drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates as necessary.

                fedratinib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic enzyme CYP2C19 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Adjust dose of drugs that are CYP2C19 substrates as necessary.

              • finerenone

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of finerenone by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Monitor serum potassium during initiation and dosage adjustment of either finererone or weak CYP3A4 inhibitors. Adjust finererone dosage as needed.

              • glecaprevir/pibrentasvir

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir by P-glycoprotein (MDR1) efflux transporter. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • iloperidone

                iloperidone increases levels of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Iloperidone is a time-dependent CYP3A inhibitor and may lead to increased plasma levels of drugs predominantly eliminated by CYP3A4.

              • isavuconazonium sulfate

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of isavuconazonium sulfate by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • istradefylline

                istradefylline will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Istradefylline 40 mg/day increased peak levels and AUC of CYP3A4 substrates in clinical trials. This effect was not observed with istradefylline 20 mg/day. Consider dose reduction of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates.

              • itraconazole

                itraconazole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • ketoconazole

                ketoconazole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • letermovir

                letermovir increases levels of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • levoketoconazole

                levoketoconazole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • lomitapide

                progesterone, natural increases levels of lomitapide by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Lomitapide dose should not exceed 30 mg/day.

              • metformin

                progesterone, natural decreases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • mifepristone

                mifepristone will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • mitotane

                mitotane decreases levels of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Mitotane is a strong inducer of cytochrome P-4503A4; monitor when coadministered with CYP3A4 substrates for possible dosage adjustments.

              • nafcillin

                nafcillin will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • phenobarbital

                phenobarbital will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.

              • posaconazole

                posaconazole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • primidone

                primidone will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • ritonavir

                ritonavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • rucaparib

                rucaparib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Adjust dosage of CYP3A4 substrates, if clinically indicated.

              • saquinavir

                saquinavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • secobarbital

                secobarbital will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • stiripentol

                stiripentol, progesterone, natural. affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Stiripentol is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and inducer. Monitor CYP3A4 substrates coadministered with stiripentol for increased or decreased effects. CYP3A4 substrates may require dosage adjustment.

              • tazemetostat

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of tazemetostat by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • tecovirimat

                tecovirimat will decrease the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Tecovirimat is a weak CYP3A4 inducer. Monitor sensitive CYP3A4 substrates for effectiveness if coadministered.

              • tinidazole

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of tinidazole by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • tipranavir

                tipranavir will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • voriconazole

                voriconazole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

              Minor (12)

              • acetazolamide

                acetazolamide will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • anastrozole

                anastrozole will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens

                progesterone, natural, bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Combination may produce breast tenderness.

              • conjugated estrogens

                progesterone, natural, conjugated estrogens. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Combination may produce breast tenderness.

              • conjugated estrogens, vaginal

                progesterone, natural, conjugated estrogens, vaginal. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Combination may produce breast tenderness.

              • cyclophosphamide

                cyclophosphamide will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • doxorubicin

                progesterone, natural increases toxicity of doxorubicin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Enhanced neutropenia.

              • doxorubicin liposomal

                progesterone, natural increases toxicity of doxorubicin liposomal by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Enhanced neutropenia.

              • larotrectinib

                larotrectinib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • ribociclib

                ribociclib will increase the level or effect of progesterone, natural by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • ruxolitinib

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of ruxolitinib by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • ruxolitinib topical

                progesterone, natural will increase the level or effect of ruxolitinib topical by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Minor/Significance Unknown.

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              Adverse Effects

              Frequency Not Defined

              Vaginal spotting

              Rash

              Edema

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              Warnings

              Contraindications

              Pregnancy, hypersensitivity

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              Pregnancy & Lactation

              Pregnancy Category: avoid use

              Lactation: N/A

              Pregnancy Categories

              A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

              B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

              C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

              D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

              X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

              NA: Information not available.

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              Pharmacology

              Mechanism of Action

              Diosgenin from Mexican yams (Dioscorea spp.) chemically altered to be identical to human progesterone

              Unaltered "yam extract" has little or no progesterone activity

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              Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.