Utovlan Tablets

What Are Utovlan Tablets?

Utovlan tablets are a branded, prescription-only medication that are primarily used to delay your period or treat menstrual disorders such as heavy or painful periods. Each pill contains 5 mg of the synthetic progestogen called norethisterone, which mimics the effects of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.

What Are Utovlan Tablets For?

Utovlan tablets are prescribed to manage menstrual issues, such as endometriosis, premenstrual tension (PMT), and heavy or painful periods. They are also prescribed to temporarily delay periods for upcoming events, such as holidays, religious events, sports events, and exams.

Utovlan tablets are not a contraceptive in their own right, and you can still conceive while taking them. Make sure to use condoms or alternative birth control methods if you want to avoid pregnancy. Utovlan isn’t designed to avoid pregnancy, only to postpone periods.

How Does Utovlan Work to Delay Periods?

Utovlan contains norethisterone, a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. It works by maintaining progesterone levels in the body, which helps keep the womb lining (endometrium) stable. 

Normally, progesterone levels fall towards the end of the menstrual cycle, which signals to the womb lining to shed and causes a period to begin. By continuing to provide progesterone-like activity, Utovlan tablets can temporarily delay this process and postpone your period until you stop taking the tablets. Periods will usually begin within 3 days of stopping treatment.

The menstrual cycle is regulated by fluctuations in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. During the first half of the cycle, oestrogen helps thicken the womb lining in preparation for a possible pregnancy. After ovulation, progesterone becomes the dominant hormone and helps maintain this lining. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels naturally decrease, triggering menstruation. 

Norethisterone mimics the effects of progesterone during this stage of the cycle, which is why it can be used for short-term period delay.

How Quickly Does Utovlan Work?

To effectively delay your period, Utovlan needs to be started 3 days before your period is due. If you take it after this time, it may not delay your period, and you may still get bleeding. Utovlan will not stop a period once it has started. 

How Effective is Utovlan for Period Delay?

Utovlan is considered an effective short-term option for delaying periods when taken correctly. The active ingredient, norethisterone, works by maintaining progesterone levels in the body, which helps prevent the womb lining from shedding and delays menstruation. For most people, this means their period will not start until they stop taking the tablets.

Utovlan Tablets: How to Use

You should always take Utovlan tablets exactly as prescribed by your clinician. You should swallow each tablet whole with a glass of water. It is important that you do not crush or chew the tablets and that you start taking them 3 days before your period is due for Utovlan to be effective. 

How Many Utovlan to Take to Stop Periods?

To postpone your period with Utovlan:

• Begin taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due
• Take one 5mg tablet three times a day at regular intervals
• Continue the tablets for up to a maximum of 4 weeks
• When you're ready for your period to begin, simply stop taking Utovlan

It usually takes a few days (usually 2 to 3 days) after stopping the tablets for your period to resume as hormone levels rebalance. Your cycle should then return to normal the following month.

Can You Take Utovlan Once a Period Has Started?

To delay your period, you must start Utovlan 3 days before your period is due, as it will not stop a period once it has started. For some conditions, such as heavy and painful periods, it may be possible to take Utovlan once your period has started, but you should check with a doctor about when and how you should take Utovlan tablets for this purpose.

What if I Forget to Take Utovlan Tablets?

If you forget to take Utovlan, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking the rest of the tablets at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

I’ve Taken Too Many Utovlan Tablets. What Do I Do?

If you take more Utovlan than you should, it is unlikely to cause serious harm, but it may increase the risk of side effects or worsen existing ones. If you take more Utovlan tablets than prescribed, contact a doctor straight away for advice.

Cautions and Side Effects of Utovlan Tablets

Before you start taking Utovlan to delay your period, it is important to understand the risks associated with taking it. If you have any concerns about Utovlan side effects, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Utovlan Tablet Side Effects

Most people tolerate Utovlan well, especially when it is taken for only one menstrual cycle. However, like any medicine, some people may experience side effects.

Potential side effects of Utovlan tablets include:

• Bleeding and spotting between periods
• Absent periods (amenorrhoea)
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Headache
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Disturbed liver function
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• A liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour
• Altered blood fat levels
• Altered blood sugar levels
• Blood clots
• Increased blood pressure
• Palpitations
• Acne
• Increase in body or facial hair
• Hair loss
• Fluid retention 
• Bloating
• Weight gain

Very rarely, Utovlan can cause an allergic reaction, which can be life-threatening in some cases. If you get any of the following symptoms, stop taking Utovlan and get emergency medical help straight away:

• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling faint
• Swelling of the face or tongue
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Intense itchy skin rash

You should also see a doctor straight away if you get:

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• A migraine headache for the first time

This is not a full list of Utovlan side effects. You can find all potential adverse effects in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication, or view it online.

If you experience any Utovlan tablet side effects, including those not listed, you should report them to a doctor or to the Yellow Card Scheme. This will help medical professionals better understand the safety of Utovlan for period delay.

Blood Clot Risk

Utovlan slightly increases the risk of developing a blood clot in the veins of your legs, lungs, or other organs. However, you are more likely to get a blood clot whether or not you are taking Utovlan if you:

• Are very overweight
• Have systemic lupus erythematosus
• Have had a blood clot in the veins or lungs before
• Have relatives who have had blood clots
• Are going to be off your feet for a while, such as after an operation or because you have had an injury
• Have a history of repeated miscarriage

It is important that you tell the clinician during your consultation if you have just had an operation or are going to have one while taking Utovlan.

If you get any of the following symptoms of a blood clot, stop taking Utovlan and see a doctor straight away:

Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs:

• Sudden, severe, sharp pain in your chest
• Coughing up blood
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Your heart beats faster

Symptoms of a blood clot in the brain (stroke):

• An unusually severe or long headache
• Sight changes
• Difficulty speaking
• Collapsing or fainting
• Weakness or numbness in any part of your body

Symptoms of a deep-vein thrombosis:

• Severe pain, tenderness or swelling in your calf, ankle, or foot
• Purple discolouration of the skin of the leg, or the skin becomes red and warm to the touch

Is Utovlan Right for Me?

As with any medication, Utovlan may not be suitable for everyone. You shouldn't take Utovlan if:

• You have an allergy to norethisterone or any of the other ingredients
• You're pregnant, or think you could be pregnant
• You have a history of unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You've previously had a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack or stroke, or a close relative has
• You have liver problems 
• You have experienced cholestatic jaundice or an itchy rash known as pemphigoid gestationis during pregnancy
• You have generalised itching all over your body
• You have a condition known as porphyria

Before taking Utovlan, tell the doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions:

• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Asthma
• Heart disease or problems
• Kidney problems

Utovlan contains lactose, so if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should contact a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.

Utovlan Tablets and Other Medications

Before taking Utovlan, tell the clinician about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines you are taking, so they can check whether it is safe for you to take them. Some medicines can interact with Utovlan, making it less effective and potentially unsafe, and vice versa.

Tell the clinician if you are taking:

• Medicines to treat epilepsy, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine
• Antibiotics to treat an infection, such as tetracyclines, rifampicin, or co-trimoxazole
• Antiviral medicines to treat HIV, including ritonavir or nelfinavir
• Anticancer medicines
• Herbal preparations containing St John’s wort
• Aminoglutethimide, which is sometimes used to manage Cushing’s syndrome
• Ciclosporin
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating pain and inflammation
• Medicines for high blood pressure

Utovlan can also interfere with some laboratory results, so tell the clinician if you are having any blood tests or hospital investigations.

Risk of Psychiatric Disorders

Some people who take hormonal medicines, including Utovlan, have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression is serious and can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes or depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Utovlan Tablets