“Utrozhestan” or “Duphaston” – which is better to choose during pregnancy?

Many women are given prescription drugs during pregnancy in order to promote a safe pregnancy, particularly if they have a history of miscarriages or are dealing with hormonal imbalances. Two common options are "Utrozhestan" and "Duphaston," both of which are designed to provide the body with additional progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining pregnancy.

Selecting between these two drugs can be difficult because they each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It’s critical to comprehend their differences and modes of operation in order to make an informed choice.

The main distinctions between "Utrozhestan" and "Duphaston" will be discussed in this article to assist you in determining which would be a better fit for your particular circumstances while pregnant.

What are the similarities between the drugs?

Both medications are designed to replenish the level of progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman if it has decreased for some reason. This hormone is very important for carrying a baby, since it prepares the mucous membrane for implantation and helps the embryo attach to the wall of the uterus, reducing the tone of the muscular membrane. If there is a shortage of it, hypertonicity and bleeding may occur, which will lead to termination of pregnancy in the early stages. If "Duphaston" or "Utrozhestan" are prescribed in time, then dangerous symptoms can be eliminated, which will allow you to successfully carry the baby. The drugs are safe for the fetus and can be used at any stage of pregnancy. In addition, both drugs can be prescribed before conception if low progesterone levels prevent a woman from getting pregnant.

During the IVF procedure, both Duphaston and Utrozhestan are used to improve the likelihood of a successful embryo transfer. Both medications share a similar withdrawal strategy: they should be tapered off gradually and carefully while the expectant mother’s condition is monitored.

Differences

Composition

The active ingredient in the medications is the main distinction between them. This is progesterone that has been micronized and is administered in doses of 100 or 200 mg in Utrozhestan and 10 mg of dydrogesterone, a synthetic analogue, in Duphaston. Progesterone is thought to have a stronger effect than estrogen, but estrogen is better absorbed and does not have androgenic activity. The medications’ auxiliary ingredients also vary. Glycerin, soy lecithin, titanium dioxide, sunflower oil, and gelatin are present in Utrozhestan, while lactose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, corn starch, opadry shell, and hypromellose are the inactive ingredients in Duphaston.

Release form

"Duphaston" is presented in the form of tablets, which have a white shell and a round shape. They have beveled edges and a risk in the middle, packed in blisters of 14 or 20 pieces and sold in cardboard boxes of 20, 28, 84 and 112 tablets. The drug is a prescription drug and costs about 500-600 rubles for a package of 20 tablets. The dosage form of "Utrozhestan" is yellowish shiny capsules, inside which there is a homogeneous oily liquid of white color. Capsules with a lower dosage are round, placed in blisters of 14 pieces and sold in a package of 2 blisters. The shape of capsules with a higher dosage is oval, one blister contains 7 such capsules, and one package – 14 pieces. The average price of one box of "Utrozhestan" is 400 rubles. Like "Duphaston", this drug is also available by prescription.

How to use

Duphaston tablets are swallowed and washed down with water. If necessary, the drug is broken into halves or even quarters. Usually, such grinding is necessary when stopping the drug, because it is impossible to reduce the hormone dose abruptly. The dosage regimen is selected individually. Some women need to take the medication twice a day, others – 3 times a day. The duration of treatment also varies for different patients, but most often the drug is stopped from the 16-20th obstetric week, when progesterone begins to be produced by the placenta. "Utrozhestan" can also be taken orally, swallowed in the evening, and sometimes in the morning. Usually, the drug is recommended to be taken 200 mg at night and, if necessary, 100 mg in the morning. However, the instructions also note a second method of use – inserting the capsule deep into the vagina of a pregnant woman.

If the medication is required to avoid an early birth, it is prescribed both during the first trimester and later on.

Contraindications

• thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism and thrombosis;
• porphyria;
• malignant tumors of the genitals or breasts;
• vaginal bleeding, the cause of which has not yet been identified.

The capsule instructions also include a fairly extensive list of illnesses for which the medication should only be used very sparingly, including epilepsy, bronchial asthma, depression, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and diabetes.

It’s critical to recognize that while both "Utrozhestan" and "Duphaston" are prescribed to support hormonal balance, their composition and modes of action differ. This is important to keep in mind when making this decision during pregnancy. "Duphaston" is a synthetic form of progesterone, whereas "Utrozhestan" is a naturally occurring form. Based on your unique medical needs, medical history, and how your body responds to the treatment, your doctor will advise you on the best course of action. Prior to making any decisions, always seek advice from a medical professional.

Side effects

Duphaston treatment may cause a variety of side effects, the most common of which are as follows:

• headaches;
• increased breast sensitivity;
• nausea.

Some women experienced weight gain, nausea, dizziness, and allergic skin reactions after taking the tablets. On rare occasions, the medication resulted in edema, Quincke’s edema, hemolytic anemia, and liver dysfunction. Reviews indicate that most patients, however, tolerate duphaston normally.

Regarding "Utrozhestan" side effects, these capsules frequently cause headaches and bloating. Additionally, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhea are frequently experienced in conjunction with oral administration. The doctor either lowers the dosage or suggests using the medication vaginally to avoid these side effects.

Women list an allergic reaction, sleeplessness, joint pain, night sweats, changes in libido and body weight, elevated body temperature, and elevated blood pressure as additional side effects of Utrozhestan treatment. Using capsules intravaginally may cause burning, itching, mucous membrane redness, and an oily discharge.

Is it used simultaneously?

Sometimes the doctor will prescribe Duphaston in addition to Utrozhestan, such as when there is a noticeable progesterone deficiency or tolerability issues. But only with a doctor’s prescription is it possible to combine these drugs? The doctor will decide which drugs are appropriate and what their respective dosages should be.

For instance, taking Utrozhestan at night will provide an extra sedative effect, and taking Duphaston in the morning will eliminate the negative effects of micronized progesterone on a woman during the day.

Pregnancy-related decisions about which medication to take—Utrozhestan or Duphaston—should be made with the understanding that each medication functions a little bit differently and that what works best for one person might not work for another.

Your doctor’s advice and your unique health needs should always be the basis for your decision. Although your healthcare provider can assess the specific uses, benefits, and side effects of each option, they are both frequently used to support pregnancy.

Ultimately, the most crucial element is making sure a safe and healthy pregnancy under the supervision of a professional, regardless of "Utrozhestan" or "Duphaston." To determine what’s best for you and your child, always get advice from your physician.

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