Utovlan

What is Utovlan?

Utovlan releases hormones into your body to delay your period for one-off occasions where having your period will be inconvenient. It contains Norethisterone, a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone naturally produced in a woman’s body. It can also be taken to ease painful, heavy and irregular periods, endometriosis and breast cancer. 

How does Utovlan work?

Utovlan works by altering the progesterone levels inside the womb at key points in your cycle. When your progesterone levels are at their highest, this causes the lining of your womb to thicken and prepare itself for the arrival of a fertilised egg. If a pregnancy doesn’t take place, the lining of the womb breaks down and leaves your body as menstrual blood during your monthly cycle. Utovlan works by essentially tricking your body into thinking you are pregnant to keep the womb lining intact. Your period will return three days after you stop taking the medicine.   

How long can you take Utovlan for?

How long you take Utovlan for depends on why you are taking it. To delay your period you should take it for 14 days and for heavy periods it should be taken on a set twenty days out of the month for a total of three months. To treat endometriosis, you would take the tablets every day for a 3-6 month period.

How effective is Utovlan?

Utovlan is effective provided it’s taken correctly as prescribed. Some of the side effects may cause vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods but most women don’t experience this.

Is Utovlan safe for long term use?

Utovlan is prescribed for short term use only and shouldn’t be used regularly. Otherwise it can interfere with your natural hormone production and put you at risk of developing side effects. Delaying your period with Utovlan should be for important or one-off occasions, like your wedding night, a holiday or an athletic event. 

Will Utovlan affect your fertility?

Utovlan won’t have an effect on your fertility but if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future then discuss this with your doctor before taking Utovlan as the medicine can be harmful to a developing fetus.   

Is Utovlan a contraceptive pill?

Utovlan is not a contraceptive and cannot be used to prevent pregnancy. You should ensure that you continue to use an effective method of birth control while you are taking it.  

Can I take Utovlan with the contraceptive pill?

You can’t take Utovlan if you are on the contraceptive pill. If you are on the combined pill and wish to delay your period, simply take two packs back to back and skip the seven day break. If you are on the progesterone only pill there’s no way to delay your period but you may be able to switch to the combined pill. You doctor will be able to advise what’s suitable for you.  

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Utovlan is Norethisterone. This is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone which is naturally produced in the body.   

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Utovlan are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, polyvidone and magnesium stearate.  

How to take Utovlan

To delay your period, start taking your prescribed dose of Utovlan three days before your period is due. You take the medicine three times a day for up to fourteen days. Once you stop taking it, your period will return after three days. If you are taking Utovlan to treat endometriosis then you need to take it three times a day for up to six months. For any other conditions or issues with your period then follow the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist.   

Utovlan side effects

Utovlan will not usually cause problems. However, medicines affect everyone differently and can occasionally cause side effects. These include: 

• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Cervical erosions
• Tenderness or pain in the breasts
• Discharge from the breasts
• Deadaches, dizziness and nausea 
• Drowsiness or problems sleeping and concentrating 
• Stomach problems 
• Dry mouth
• Liver problems
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• Metabolism changes
• Having a negative impact on diabetes 
• Heart and lungs problems such as blood clots and palpitations
• Increased body hair or acne
• Bloating
• Changes in appetite or sex drive  

Contraindications

Utovlan should not be used by women who: 

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have problems with blood clots
• Have experienced a stroke, heart attack or angina 
• Have a history of breast, genital or liver cancer 
• Have ever experienced jaundice or pemphigoid gestationis
• Have a rare blood disease called porphyria
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients 

Drug interactions

If you are taking any other medications then always inform your doctor of this before being prescribed with something new. Utovlan is not suitable to be taken alongside the following medicines as they may lessen the effect of the drug: 

• Epilepsy medication (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Antibiotics (e.g. tetracyclines, rifampicin, co-trimoxazole)
• HIV medication (e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir)
• Cancer treatment
• Herbal remedies containing St John’s wort 
• Aminoglutethimide, sometimes used in Cushing’s Syndrome.
• Ciclosporin (for suppressing the immune system)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating pain and inflammation
• Medicines for high blood pressure.  

Alcohol and Utovlan

You can still drink alcohol while taking Utovlan. It may cause sleepiness but mixing the two drugs will not cause any harm.

Utovlan vs Norethisterone

Norethisterone is the name of the medicine itself, while Utovlan is a brand of Norethisterone. They are essentially the same thing so the two names may be used interchangeably. 

Utovlan vs contraceptive pill for period delay

Both methods are effective for delaying your period. If you are already taking the combined pill then then it’s simple to just run two packs back to back. Utovlan works well for women not already taking the pill as it won’t cause any additional side effects like breakthrough bleeding which often occurs when you first start the contraceptive pill. Whether Utovlan or the pill will be most effective, will depend on your individual circumstances and medical history.   

Is Utovlan safe?

Utovlan is safe to use as long as you follow the instructions provided by your doctor. It is only available on prescription but it is unsuitable for women who:

• Are pregnant
• Are breastfeeding 
• Have problems with blood clots
• Have experienced a stroke, heart attack or angina 
• Have a history of breast, genital or liver cancer 
• Have ever experienced jaundice or pemphigoid gestationis
• Have a rare blood disease called porphyria

It’s important to tell your doctor if any of the above applies to you, and let them know about any additional medications you are currently taking. You should also tell them if you suffer from asthma, epilepsy, migraines, heart or kidney problems.   

Can Utovlan stop your period once it has started?

There is no way to stop your period after it has began. Once the lining of the uterus has started to shed, you will continue to bleed until the end of your period. If you want to delay your period then you need to take Utovlan three days before your period is due.  

Sources

• Patient Informaiton Leaflet
• NHS > How Can I Delay My Period?
• Bustle > Can You Make Your Period Stop After it Begins?