Duphaston is a chemically available steroidal progestin. It is generally available as a tablet in 10mg dosage.

Uses of Duphaston

As it is synthetic progesterone, it is widely used for conditions where there is a progesterone deficiency. Duphaston is used in the following conditions:

  • In a condition called Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) wherein some women have heavy bleeding with no underlying pathology in the uterus, Duphaston is used to arrest the bleeding initially and then it is continued in cycles to regulate the rhythm and cycle of menstruation.
  • In dysmenorrhoea (painful periods), Duphaston has proved to be effective in relieving the pain.
  • In secondary amenorrhoea, where a woman suffers from absent periods after having attained menarche, Duphaston is used alone or along with estrogen derivatives, depending upon the cause for amenorrhoea.
  • In endometriosis a condition where there will be heavy and painful periods along with painful intercourse, this drug has proved to be effective in reducing the menstrual flow and pain without interfering ovulation.
  • In patients suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss and threatened abortion, Duphaston is used as a supportive therapy.
  • In treatment of infertility.
  • To treat premenstrual syndrome where there may be mood swings and symptoms like breast tenderness and heaviness, bloated feeling, etc.
  • In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) which is estrogen supplement- in postmenopausal women with intact uterus the HRT when given alone may result in several adverse effects including the incidence of cancer. Hence Duphaston is supplemented with HRT to counteract the side effects of estrogen and maintain a balance between estrogen and progesterone.

Side Effects

  • Hypersensitive to progestin or the ingredients those are included in the tablet (excipients).
  • Suspected or known progesterone dependent growths.
  • Irregular bleeding where the cause is not diagnosed.
  • Galactose intolerant patients.

In all the above said conditions, use of Duphaston is contraindicated. During the course of the treatment with Duphaston certain things are to be watched for. They are:

  • Watch for any intermittent bleeding or spotting after certain time of the treatment or after discontinuing the treatment. It may need an endometrial biopsy to rule out cancer of the endometrium.                                                            .
  • If you have suffered from jaundice, depression or have had elevated liver enzyme values anytime in your life, then it is advisable to check for the liver enzyme values frequently during the treatment as it may interfere with your liver functions.