Utrozhestan withdrawal regimen during pregnancy

Many women are prescribed Utrozhestan during pregnancy in order to support a healthy pregnancy. This drug aids in hormone balance, particularly when progesterone levels are low. Nevertheless, there usually comes a point in the pregnancy when stopping Utrozhestan is required. To guarantee that the body adjusts smoothly, this should be done cautiously and gradually.

Adhering to a prescribed withdrawal schedule is crucial because stopping medicine suddenly can cause issues. Your body can maintain hormonal balance during the tapering process without the need for outside assistance.

This post will discuss how to safely cease taking Utrozhestan while pregnant in order to protect the health of both you and your unborn child.

Features of the drug

The medication is made as soft capsules with an oily white interior and a yellowish tint. Sunflower oil, soy lecithin, and the active ingredient, micronized progesterone, are all contained in the capsule. Titanium dioxide and glycerin are added to gelatin to create the shell. Round-shaped capsules containing 28 mg of the medication are packaged in packs of 100 mg, and oval capsules containing 200 mg of the medication are packaged in cardboard boxes containing 14 pieces for "Utrozhestan."

Prescriptions are required to purchase the medication, and a package typically costs 400 rubles. The capsules have a three-year shelf life from the date of manufacture listed on the box.

When it is prescribed to pregnant women?

The primary motivation for using "Utrozhestan" during the first trimester is the risk of progesterone deficiency-induced pregnancy termination. By increasing the hormone level through the use of capsules, hypertonicity and other harmful symptoms associated with the possibility of miscarriage are eliminated. In cases where insufficient progesterone prevents embryo implantation and normal gestation, some women receive prescriptions for the medication even prior to conception. The drug is in high demand for endometriosis, fibroids, recurrent abortions, and other related conditions.

Changes in the cervix can cause premature labor, which is why capsules are often used in the later stages of pregnancy (between 28 and 34 weeks). Progesterone helps these patients carry their babies to term by preventing the cervix from shortening and softening and from developing cervical insufficiency.

How it is used?

• ensures faster absorption of the hormone and its effect on the uterus;
• reduces side effects on the digestive tract;
• helps with early toxicosis.

The doctor prescribes the specific dosage and regimen. Pregnant women may be prescribed a daily dose of 200–400 mg or 600–800 mg, depending on the medication’s indications, side effects, and tolerability.

Before going to bed, the full daily dosage can be ingested or inserted into the vagina after just one dose. Schemes with two-time administration, in which a woman takes a smaller dose in the morning and the majority of the dose at night, are utilized far more frequently.

Why is it canceled gradually?

The doctor will undoubtedly inform you that "Utrozhestan" must be stopped gradually and with caution when prescribed to a pregnant patient. If the risk of miscarriage was the reason for prescribing the capsules, it is especially crucial to finish the intake correctly. In this instance, an abrupt cancellation may result in unfavorable outcomes, such as the return of harmful symptoms.

If the medication was prescribed prior to conception, stopping it suddenly during pregnancy is not permissible. Such activities will cause the uterine muscle membrane to become more active, which may lead to bleeding and ovum rejection. It is also not advised to abruptly stop treatment in the later stages as this may result in an early birth.

In order to support hormone levels during pregnancy, utrozhestan is frequently prescribed; however, it’s crucial to understand when to safely reduce and eventually stop using it. A healthcare provider should always oversee the withdrawal process, ensuring a gradual reduction to prevent abrupt hormonal shifts that could impact the pregnancy.

When is it canceled?

Withdrawal from Utrozhestan usually starts around week twelve or thirteen if the medication was prescribed for a miscarriage that appeared imminent and was taken during the first trimester. Nonetheless, some patients choose to continue taking the medication for an additional 16–20 weeks, after which a fully developed placenta is provided by a normal blood progesterone level.

They start eliminating the cancellation in the 30th week and fully give up the "Utrozhestan" by the 34th obstetric week if the medication is stopped in the second trimester to prevent preterm birth.

How to stop treatment correctly?

Every woman who uses "Utrozherta" has a cancellation plan that is specifically chosen for her. It invariably considers the medication dosage and gestational age. Usually, the dosage of hormonal substance is decreased every three to seven days while closely monitoring the patient’s condition.

You should go back to the dose at which the woman felt normal if there are any concerning symptoms following a dosage reduction.

The most attention is needed for expectant mothers who are given the highest dosages of hormones. After the initial five days of no harmful symptoms following the first dosage reduction of the active ingredient, you can proceed with the withdrawal.

For a woman who took 200 mg of it daily during the first trimester and was at risk of miscarriage, the approximate withdrawal schedule is as follows:

• at 11-12 weeks the woman uses 100 mg in the morning and evening;
• at 13 weeks – only 100 mg at night;
• at 14 weeks – 100 mg every other day before bed;
• at 15 weeks discontinues the medication completely.

In cases where the woman experiences symptoms such as bloody discharge, abdominal pain, and serious miscarriage risk, her doctor may recommend a higher dosage of progesterone, such as 400 mg daily for 13–14 weeks (200 mg twice a day).

The drug is then stopped in accordance with the following plan:

• at 15 weeks the woman should take 200 mg at night and 100 mg in the morning;
• at 16 weeks – 200 mg before bedtime;
• at 17 weeks – 100 mg at night;
• from the 18th week cancel completely.

Higher doses of "Utrozhestan," which are split into two doses, are also necessary for the IVF protocol. Treatment must end by the 20th or 21st obstetric week.

An approximate cancellation plan for a woman taking 800 mg of the hormone substance daily is as follows:

• at the 15th week the expectant mother should take 400 mg in the morning (2 capsules with a dosage of 200 mg) and the same amount of hormone in the evening;
• at the 16th week the morning dose is reduced, that is, the woman will receive 200 mg in the morning, and the evening dose remains 400 mg;
• at the 17th week the dosage at night is also reduced, so the pregnant woman takes 200 mg of the hormone twice a day;
• at the 18th week you need to take 200 mg at night and only 100 mg in the morning;
• at 19 weeks – 100 mg twice daily;
• at 20 weeks – only 100 mg before bedtime;
• at 21 weeks the intake is stopped.

The medication may be stopped suddenly if the pregnancy could not be maintained even with the Utrozhestan prescription.

Curettage is frequently avoided because this raises the uterine contractile activity and enables the dead ovum to be rejected naturally. Only credible proof of pregnancy termination—after an ultrasound, blood tests, and medical examination—is acceptable for this kind of cancellation. They just cease taking the capsules without utilizing any special plans.

During pregnancy, managing the withdrawal of Utrogestan is a crucial process that needs to be done with caution and under medical supervision. To maintain the health of both the mother and the fetus, it is imperative to strictly adhere to the recommended regimen. Before changing your medication regimen, always get advice from your healthcare provider.

Reducing Utrogestan gradually instead of stopping suddenly can reduce risks and adverse effects. The withdrawal plan will be customized by your healthcare provider according to your unique needs and the details of your pregnancy. This tailored approach promotes a healthy outcome for you and your infant and helps to guarantee a seamless transition.

Effective management of this process requires close collaboration with your medical team and ongoing education. Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for advice and assistance if you have any questions or notice any strange symptoms. During this transition, the health of your infant and your own well-being come first.

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