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Menopause

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Original poster

Shortage of Utogestran?

21 replies

Chatrattoria · 04/01/2023 18:03

Is anyone else finding it difficult to get utogestran?
I have enough for one cycle but my chemist hasn’t had any for a month. I’m wondering if it’s worth the hassle of going back to my gp and asking for a separate prescription and toting that round some pharmacies or if I should just hang in there and wait it out.
The pharmacist says he can’t give me a spine (?) as he’s already given me other things on the prescription-the oestrogel.
And it is almost impossible dealing with my GP!

OP posts:

Lulu1919 · 04/01/2023 18:12

I had this ...it means as he's given you other things that were in the script he can't give it back to you to take elsewhere ..happened to me a few times so so irritating ..my scripts went straight to local chemist.
I now get my scripts sent to Tesco Pharmacy and have not had any trouble this time getting my hormones !!
Might be worth a try or as you say ask for it on a separate script.

Mezmer · 04/01/2023 18:13

I am also waiting to get some. What happens if I can’t? Just stared HRT and am down at first hurdle. I can’t get it!!

Lulu1919 · 04/01/2023 18:27

Ask chemist what he does have ..then ring dr and explain...they will issue a new script
Well mine did !!

Original poster

Chatrattoria · 04/01/2023 19:01

I’ll do that Lulu but it’s such a nightmare trying to communicate with GP that I was trying to avoid it. Takes hours to get thorough and then talk to someone who says they’ll do something but don’t. Takes ages to realise somethings gone wrong and then have to chase up by spending hours on the phone again. It’s so stressful.

OP posts:

JinglingSpringbells · 04/01/2023 19:58

It's not listed as a shortage last time I looked at the list.

Have you asked the pharmacy what's going on? They will have a shortage list and it's usually easy for them to find out what's going on.

When I first started on it, some small pharmacies never had any so always had to order it but it came within a day or two.

Original poster

Chatrattoria · 04/01/2023 20:15

Pharmacy said they’ve not had any for a month.

OP posts:

JinglingSpringbells · 04/01/2023 20:18

Chatrattoria · 04/01/2023 20:15

Pharmacy said they’ve not had any for a month.

Ok but they need to explain what they mean by that.

They can use various wholesalers, so are they asking around?
Have they had notification from Besins about any issues?

Rina66 · 04/01/2023 20:31

My local pharmacy have no Estradot 75, they gave me one box of the two I was prescribed, they now can't get anymore, apparently there's a shortage of all 75 patches - so like you I have to try to get my Doctor to reissue another prescription - this really isn't a system. The Doctors and receptionists are having to do their jobs at least twice, the pharmacists and their staff are trying to fulfil prescriptions with no idea when items will be in stock and we as patients are backwards and forwards. It's all such a waste of time and would never be able to happen in businesses that had to be even remotely commercially viable, it appears anyone connected with the NHS from drugs manufacturers, to suppliers and Doctors surgeries thankfully don't have to be.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 04/01/2023 20:35

Mine , Kamsons, can't get the 50g only 25g but I have to get a new prescription. but also won't let me have the prescription back as they have dispensed the other items. I pay private and it will be over £70 for a new script which as I am now ipon JSA I can't affor what I do have is lots of time so off to the doctor's tomorrow to see if they will change it for free.

Marytherose · 04/01/2023 20:42

None of my local pharmacies have any Utrogestan in stock at the moment, I’ve been trying to get my prescription filled. I checked the Besins website for info on stock issues - they say there is a ‘short interruption to supply’ but they are expecting more into the country this week (week beginning 2/1/23), so hopefully it will soon be available again.

Original poster

Chatrattoria · 04/01/2023 21:22

Ah, I have no time to spend on the problem. At least it’s not costing me as I am exempt prescription charges due to a disability.

Apparently if I queue at the GP in person it’s far easier to sort out than trying to phone them. I understand GP staff are overwhelmed but I also feel that their admin systems could be better.

I am not sure if my pharmacist can go to various suppliers. They’re a chain so I assume they have to go where they’re told. If the supplies are trickling in I will try again next week.

A friend has just said they can sub me some utogestran in the short term.

OP posts:

Taz2022 · 07/01/2023 16:19

I'm in the Southeast and have been told that utrogestan 100mg capsules are unobtainable atm? So a month into HRT and its helped soooo much, and now already at a hurdle! What is it with this country? 😕

Dogsgottabone · 07/01/2023 19:25

@Taz2022 I am in the south east ish and was given a three month supply of utrogestan 100mg yesterday... Our pharmacy is part of our GP practice.

Sunnycats · 14/01/2023 09:47

I can't get them anywhere either and in a slight panic! I've been on them a year and have called over 10 pharmacies and nobody has them. Am in the Bristol area. If anyone on here is aware of any pharmacies in Bath/Bristol who have them I would be so grateful 🙏

Mezmer · 14/01/2023 13:13

I’m worried about this. I am new on sequential HRT and am approaching the point where I need to take the Uto but my pharmacy hasn’t got any either.

so I’ve been using oestrogen patches and I’m ten days in.

from what I understand is that after 30 days on the patches I add Uto to the mix for a week. Is this correct?

if so that means I still have 20 days to secure some

or, is it that I have to do the week on Uto sooner than 30 days?

please advise me.

JinglingSpringbells · 14/01/2023 13:39

Mezmer · 14/01/2023 13:13

I’m worried about this. I am new on sequential HRT and am approaching the point where I need to take the Uto but my pharmacy hasn’t got any either.

so I’ve been using oestrogen patches and I’m ten days in.

from what I understand is that after 30 days on the patches I add Uto to the mix for a week. Is this correct?

if so that means I still have 20 days to secure some

or, is it that I have to do the week on Uto sooner than 30 days?

please advise me.

You are supposed to take Utrogestan from day 15 of your 30 day cycle.

The dose is 2 capsules ( 2 x 100mgs) for 12 days.

Don't worry if you can't get any. Some women do 2 or 3 month cycles. Obviously discuss with your GP if you still can't get any within a few weeks.

Rina66 · 14/01/2023 13:43

Normally @Mezmer you take estrogen continuously and then add in 10 to 14 days of Utrogestan. So my consultant advised always starting the Utrogestan on the same date every month, so the 15th February take for 10 to 14 days as you've been advised and then same again on the 15th March, 15th April etc. It's not a 28 day cycle like our usual cycles.

Rina66 · 14/01/2023 13:44

Sorry, should add that's while you're still having periods, post menopause you can take Utrogestan continuously so you don't get a bleed, but one tablet a day as opposed to 2.

Mezmer · 14/01/2023 14:32

Thank you for your advice. So relieved it won’t hurt if I delay it a bit until I can get it!

mrsnjw · 14/01/2023 15:59

Is anyone now being supplied with these tablets? My chemist doesn't have any either.

Ang9305 · 15/01/2023 06:16

I ordered Utrogestan at the beginning of December & I still haven’t been able to get any. Very frustrating after after all the previous struggles I’ve had trying to get Oestrogel.

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