What is the proper dosage and administration schedule for Duphaston (Dydrogesterone)?

How to Take Duphaston (Dydrogesterone)

Take Duphaston 10-20 mg orally once or twice daily during specific days of your menstrual cycle, depending on your condition, with the most common regimen being 10 mg twice daily from day 5 to day 25 of the cycle for endometrial protection or 20 mg daily (10 mg twice daily) from day 11-25 for menstrual disorders. 1, 2

Standard Dosing Regimens

For Endometrial Protection (Hormone Replacement Therapy)

• Take 10 mg once daily when combined with 2 mg estradiol in sequential hormone replacement therapy 2
• Administer during the luteal phase of the cycle (typically days 14-25 or 15-25) 1, 2
• This provides adequate protection against endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women 2

For Menstrual Disorders (Premenstrual Syndrome, Dysmenorrhea, Irregular Bleeding)

• Take 20 mg daily in divided doses (10 mg twice daily) 1
• Administer during the second half of the menstrual cycle (from day 5 to day 25, or from day 15-20 to day 25) 1, 3
• This regimen effectively relieves dysmenorrhea, bleeding irregularities, depression, and edema 1

For Fertility Treatment in Endometriosis

• Take 20 mg daily from day 5 to day 25 of the menstrual cycle 3
• May be combined with other therapies as directed by your physician 3

For Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (IVF/ICSI)

• Take 20 mg daily from cycle day 3 until the trigger day 4
• This prevents premature LH surge during ovarian stimulation 4

Administration Guidelines

Timing and Consistency

• Take at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels, as medication compliance decreases significantly with more frequent dosing schedules 5
• Twice-daily dosing (when prescribed) should be spaced approximately 12 hours apart 1
• Oral administration ensures adequate bioavailability compared to natural progesterone 2

Duration of Treatment

• Continue treatment for the prescribed number of days within each menstrual cycle 1, 3
• Most regimens involve cyclical use rather than continuous daily administration 1, 2
• Treatment duration varies from 3-6 months depending on the condition being treated 1

Important Considerations

What to Expect

• Ovulatory cycles are maintained during treatment—basal body temperature and progesterone levels remain normal 1
• Physical symptoms typically improve within the first treatment cycle, with best results seen for dysmenorrhea, bleeding irregularities, depression, and edema 1
• Mastodynia (breast pain) may not respond as well to dydrogesterone therapy 1

Monitoring

• Blood pressure and body weight should be monitored but typically remain stable during treatment 1
• The medication is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects 1

Critical Safety Points

• Do not take if pregnant or if pregnancy is suspected 6
• Avoid use with active or history of arterial thromboembolic disease, breast cancer, undiagnosed genital bleeding, or hepatic disease 6
• If withdrawal bleeding does not occur as expected, perform a pregnancy test before continuing treatment 7

Drug Interactions

• Rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine) substantially decrease dydrogesterone levels—add barrier contraception if taking these medications concurrently 6