Utovlan

Utovlan 5mg is a period delay tablet that can delay your period. It is usually prescribed as a one off treatment if you want to delay your period for any reason. Utovlan is a branded medication and contains the active ingredient norethisterone. This is a progestogen, which works in the body like the natural hormone progesterone.

You can also find Utovlan under the generic medication name norethisterone. Asda Online Doctor can prescribe both Utovlan and norethisterone.

As Utovlan is a progestogen, it can delay your period by acting as the female hormone progesterone. When you go through your monthly menstrual cycle, the lining of the womb comes away, causing your period. This happens when your progesterone levels drop. When you take Utovlan to delay your period, it replaces your progesterone levels. This can stop your period until you finish your treatment.

Utovlan is not suitable if you have a history of blood clots, as it could increase your risk of blood clots. You cannot use Utovlan to delay your period if you already take the combined oral contraceptive pill.

Utovlan 5mg tablets should be taken 3 times each day, for a total dose of 15mg a day. You should start taking the tablets 3 days before your next period is due.

When you stop taking Utovlan, your period should start within 3 days.

You should continue to use contraception like a condom if you are having sex. Utovlan cannot stop you from getting pregnant.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Utovlan, you can take your dose when you remember. You can then carry on taking Utovlan as prescribed. You might notice some spotting or bleeding if you miss a dose. Never take a double dose of Utovlan to make up for a forgotten dose.

Utovlan is suitable for most women who want to delay their period. It cannot be used if you are already taking the combined contraceptive pill, but you can use this to delay your period instead. You cannot take Utovlan if you have a history of blood clots, as Utovlan can increase your risk of getting blood clots.

There are some health conditions or medications that can make Utovlan less effective for delaying your period, or sometimes unsafe. Before prescribing Utovlan, our doctors will make sure it is suitable for you. We also have other period delay treatments if Utovlan is not suitable for you.

Utovlan could have some side effects although this is less common when using it to delay your period. This is because you are only taking the medication for a short amount of time and as a one off. If you get Utovlan side effects, they usually go away on their own. You can speak to your doctor if Utovlan side effects are bothering you too much.

Utovlan may cause other side effects, including:

• fluid retention (oedema)
• changes in appetite
• fever
• itchy skin or skin rash
• changes in sex drive
• acne
• an increase in facial and body hair
• hair loss
• problems with your heart, including a fast heartbeat
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• changes in blood test results
• a change in blood sugar
• nausea or vomiting (feeling or being sick)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• dry mouth
• liver problems, including jaundice
• vision problems, such as cloudy vision
• tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• changes in mood, such as nervousness and depression
• pain in your breasts
• tender breasts
• milky nipple discharge when you are not breastfeeding or pregnant
• vaginal discharge that looks different to normal
• spotting or bleeding from your vagina

For more information on side effects and contraindications of Utovlan 5mg tablets, you should check the patient information leaflet which is found in the medication packet. You can also find it here.

You should not take Utovlan if you have:

• liver problems
• ever had vaginal bleeding that could not be explained by a doctor
• deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a family history of it
• had jaundice or pemphigoid gestationis, which is an itchy rash, while you were pregnant
• pruritus
• porphyria
• allergies to any of the ingredients in Utovlan, especially norethisterone

If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should not use Utovlan.

You should also talk to your doctor before using Utovlan if you have:

• migraines
• kidney problems
• asthma
• heart problems
• epilepsy

Before using Utovlan tablets to delay your period, you must let your doctor know if you take any medications, especially:

• antibiotics
• high blood pressure medications
• treatment for epilepsy
• HIV treatment
• St John’s wort, which is a herbal remedy
• aminoglutethimide, which is sometimes used for Cushing’s syndrome
• ciclosporin, a medication for the immune system
• non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen
• anticancer medications

Utovlan tablets are effective at delaying periods in most women. Utovlan is not a contraceptive so you can still get pregnant while taking it. Utovlan is most effective when taken as prescribed.

Yes, Utovlan is a prescription medication only, meaning a doctor must prescribe it for you. If you need period delay treatment, you can get it online through Asda Online Doctor.

Asda Online Doctor has other period delay treatments if Utovlan is not suitable for you. We also have norethisterone, which is an unbranded period delay treatment. Utovlan and norethisterone both contain norethisterone, which means they are taken and work the same way. If you cannot take Utovlan, we also have Provera.

Provera contains the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a progestogen. This means it works like Utovlan to prevent your progesterone levels from dropping, delaying your period until you stop taking it. Provera may be suitable if you have a higher risk of blood clots.

If you already take the combined contraceptive pill, you can speak to your doctor about using this to delay your period. It can be taken back to back, which means you do not take your usual break between tablet packs. This means you can delay your period for a month. If you take the progesterone only contraceptive pill, you cannot take it back to back to delay your period.