Prasterone (Vaginal)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 1, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Intrarosa

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suppository

Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Androgen

Uses for prasterone

Prasterone is used to treat women with moderate to severe dyspareunia (painful intercourse) that is due to menopause. Low estrogen levels may cause changes in the vulvar and vaginal areas that lead to atrophy (a shrinking of tissues) and dryness. Prasterone is a steroid medicine.

Prasterone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using prasterone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For prasterone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to prasterone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Intrarosa™ is not indicated for use in the pediatric population.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Intrarosa™ in the elderly.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of prasterone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or
• Breast cancer, known or suspected, or a history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Proper use of prasterone

It is very important that you use prasterone exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects.

Prasterone comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions in the leaflet carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Prasterone comes with a disposable applicator. Place the vaginal insert in the applicator and then insert it into your vagina. Use each applicator only once, and then throw it away.

Dosing

The dose of prasterone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the ...