Prasterone belongs to the class of medications called steroids. It is used to relieve the symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy that occurs after menopause.

At menopause, a woman's body produces less estrogen, leading to dryness, thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls. Prasterone is absorbed into the vaginal tissues where it is changed to estrogen. This estrogen helps restore the normal condition of the vagina.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of prasterone is one ovule inserted high in the vagina once daily, usually at bedtime. Insert the applicator gently and deeply into the vagina, then slowly depress the plunger to release the ovule.

After removing the applicator, separate the pieces and rinse them under running water to clean them. Dry the applicator and reassemble it. Throw the applicator away after 1 week of use.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 8 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Each white, bullet-shaped vaginal ovule, approximately 28 mm long and 8.6 mm in diameter at its widest end, contains 6.5 mg of prasterone. Nonmedicinal ingredients:  hard fat.

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to prasterone or any ingredients of the medication
• have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• vaginal discharge

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Vaginal discharge: It is common to experience vaginal discharge when using prasterone ovules. This is caused by the hard wax of the ovule, melting when exposed to body heat. This is normal.

Pregnancy: This medication is intended for use after menopause. Under normal circumstances it would not be used by a pregnant woman.

Breast-feeding: This medication is intended for use after menopause. Under normal circumstances, it would not be used by a woman who is breast-feeding.

Children: This medication is intended for use after menopause. It is not intended for use by children.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.