Is Prometrium The Same Thing As Progesterone?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not Prometrium is the same thing as progesterone.
Hi, my question is the following: Are Prometrium and progesterone the same medication? Thank you in advance.
May 09, 2023- Prometrium is a brand name for micronized progesterone, which is the same hormone your body naturally produces and is broken down into smaller particles to help your body absorb it better.
- Progesterone is different from synthetic progestins like medroxyprogesterone, and progesterone is often preferred because it appears to have fewer side effects.
- Both brand-name Prometrium and generic progesterone come in the same doses and contain the same active ingredient.
Answer
Yes, Prometrium and progesterone are the same in the sense that Prometrium is a brand-name product that contains micronized progesterone. Prometrium's micronized progesterone is structurally the same as the progesterone produced by the human ovary, meaning that it is 'bioidentical'. It is not synthetic.
As mentioned, Prometrium is a brand name, and it is available generically as 'progesterone'. Both the brand Prometrium and generic progesterone are available in 100mg and 200mg capsules.
The 'micronized' part of 'micronized progesterone' is simply referring to how the drug is formulated.
Progesterone is micronized to increase its absorption and effectiveness in the body. When progesterone is micronized, it is broken down into smaller particles, which allows it to be better absorbed by the body when taken orally. This can increase the hormone's effectiveness and reduce the amount needed for treatment.
Other Forms Of Progesterone
Since you're asking about progesterone, I think it's worth pointing out that there are other drugs on the market that are classified as 'progestins'. A 'progestin' is a synthetic compound that is chemically similar to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Progestins are designed to have similar effects as progesterone in the body.
However, progestins may have additional effects and can be modified to have different properties, such as a longer half-life or greater potency.
The most commonly used 'progestin' is medroxyprogesterone. Technically, it is not progesterone but has progesterone-like effects.
This answer isn't intended to get into all the differences between progesterone and medroxyprogesterone, but I will say that progesterone is a natural hormone that is the same as the progesterone produced in a woman's ovaries. It is often preferred over the synthetic progestin, medroxyprogesterone, because it has fewer side effects.
For example, medroxyprogesterone has been linked to increased risks of heart disease and breast cancer. Micronized progesterone, on the other hand, does not seem to have these risks but there is still somewhat limited information available on the safety of these hormones overall.
Final Words
I hope this answer helped! Reach back out anytime.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Bioidentical
- A hormone that has the same chemical structure as the hormone naturally produced in the human body.
- Micronized
- Broken down into very small particles to improve how well a medication is absorbed by the body.
- Progesterone
- A naturally occurring hormone produced by the ovaries that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
- Progestin
- A man-made compound designed to mimic the effects of the natural hormone progesterone in the body.
- Medroxyprogesterone
- A synthetic progestin commonly used in hormone therapy and birth control that is similar to but not identical to natural progesterone.
- Half-life
- The amount of time it takes for the body to break down and eliminate half of a medication's dose.
- Potency
- The strength or power of a drug to produce a desired effect in the body.
- Oral absorption
- How well a medication taken by mouth is taken up and utilized by the body.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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