What is Kliogest used for?
Kliogest is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women who have passed their menopause and prefer not to have periods. Kliogest replaces the hormones called oestrogen and progesterone which your body stops making after menopause.
The falling hormone levels may cause you to experience uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, dry vagina, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration or loss of energy. The drop in oestrogen levels around and following menopause also increases the loss of bone mineral which can cause the bones to weaken or even break.
The oestrogen in Kliogest relieves the symptoms caused by a lack of oestrogen and prevents thinning of the bones. The progesterone protects the lining of your womb from overstimulation by oestrogen.
Your doctor may have prescribed Kliogest for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Kliogest has been prescribed for you.
Before you take Kliogest
Do not take Kliogest if
- you are pregnant or suspect you may be
- you know or suspect you have a tumour which depends on hormones (e.g. cancer of the lining of the womb or breast) or have ever had breast cancer
- you have porphyria (a rare disease of blood pigments)
- you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
- you know that you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Kliogest
- you have pain or swelling in your legs, or blood clots
- it is after the expiry date (Expiry) printed on the pack
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Before you start to take Kliogest your doctor should give you a complete physical examination and make a record of your family's medical history. The check-up should include a gynaecological examination, blood pressure test and examination of the breasts and abdomen. If you have previously taken an oestrogen-only medicine, your doctor should examine you for a possible condition known as endometriosis (overstimulation of the lining of the womb).
Tell your doctor if
- you have previously taken oestrogen by itself for menopausal symptoms. The long-term use of oestrogen without a progesterone can increase the risk of cancer of the lining of the womb
- you have had a hysterectomy, because another medicine may be more suitable for you
- it is less than one year since your last natural menstrual period, because another medicine may be more suitable for you
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following
- venous blood clots related to the use of oestrogen (e.g. while using an oral contraceptive pill)
- liver disease
- epilepsy, migraine, diabetes, asthma, heart disease or high blood pressure (because you will need to be seen regularly by your doctor while you are taking Kliogest)
- fibroids of the womb or endometriosis. Fibroids may increase in size while taking Kliogest and symptoms of endometriosis may worsen.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take Kliogest.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take other medicines, including:
- other oestrogen medicines
- medicines for epilepsy, tuberculosis, sleeping problems or depression
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
The effect of Kliogest can be reduced by other medicines.
How to take Kliogest
Read carefully the instructions printed at the end of this leaflet in order to correctly use the calendar pack.
Take one tablet a day, preferably at the same time each day, until all 28 tablets have been taken. Swallow each tablet with a glass of water. When you have finished each pack, start the next pack immediately.
If you are not on any other hormone replacement therapy you can start taking Kliogest on any day that is convenient. If you are going to change from another type of hormone replacement therapy, you should start using Kliogest at the end of the period-like bleed.
Kliogest should not be taken by children, men, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
If you forget to take it (Missed Dose)
You can always see if you have taken your tablet by looking at the day on the calendar dial pack.
If you forget to take a tablet at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, throw away the tablet you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
You may have vaginal bleeding or spotting if you forget to take your tablets.
If you take too much (Overdose)
If you take more tablets than you have been prescribed, contact your doctor for advice.
Overdose may cause nausea and vomiting.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects while you are taking Kliogest (whether or not they are mentioned below).
You may need medical treatment if you experience some of the side effects.
When you start taking Kliogest your body has to adjust to new hormone levels. Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting is a common side effect. It may take some months before you become period-free. A few women will continue to have some vaginal bleeding or spotting but this will usually be less than with some other types of hormone replacement therapy. You may also experience the following side effects:
- breast tenderness
- nausea
- bloating
- swelling of hands, ankles or feet (oedema)
- headache
- skin reactions
- hair loss
- asthma
- gallstones
- blood clots
These side effects are usually temporary and disappear.
Tell your doctor if:
- you are not feeling well or find any side effect too uncomfortable or unacceptable
- any side effect becomes worse
- vaginal bleeding or spotting suddenly becomes heavier
Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following conditions occur (because you may be told to stop taking Kliogest):
- severe pain or swelling in your legs
- yellow colouring of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- migraine or sudden severe headache
- problems with your eyesight
- marked rise in blood pressure
- vaginal bleeding or spotting occurring after you have been period-free for some time
- you know or suspect you are pregnant
Cancer of the breast, blood clots and changes in liver function have been reported with hormone replacement therapy.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects, you may not experience any of them.
Storage
Keep all medicines out of reach of children.
Kliogest should be kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C or 77°F. Do not put Kliogest in the refrigerator.
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