Pleyris

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Pleyris

Property Description
Active ingredient Progesterone
Form Solution for Injection (Aqueous-based injectable)
Pharmacological class Progestogen (Female sex hormone)
Common use Hormonal support for key reproductive processes
Origin Bioidentical hormone (chemically identical to the body's natural progesterone)

Pleyris: Definition, Composition, and Pharmacological Class

Pleyris is a registered pharmaceutical preparation whose active ingredient is progesterone, a bioidentical C21-steroid hormone chemically identical to that naturally produced by the human body. As a medication, Pleyris is formally classified as a progestogen, belonging to the essential class of sex hormones required for reproductive function. The product is manufactured by IBSA Group, headquartered in Switzerland, and is recognized for utilizing an aqueous-based solution for the delivery of micronized progesterone, a differentiating factor from older, oil-based intramuscular preparations.

The medicine is presented as a sterile Solution for Injection—a single-ingredient product—designed for systemic delivery via Subcutaneous (SC) or Intramuscular (IM) injection. Pharmacological studies confirm the hormone's role as a potent agonist of the progesterone receptors, establishing the mechanism by which it transforms the uterine lining.

What is the General Purpose of Progesterone Injection?

The general purpose of Pleyris is to provide essential hormonal support when a deficiency of endogenous progesterone is diagnosed. The hormone's primary physiological action involves preparing and maintaining the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This core function is clinically recognized for stabilizing the reproductive environment. By reinforcing the body's natural processes, the use of Pleyris is aimed at supporting the optimal conditions necessary for key events in female reproductive health.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH DailyMed

What side effects are possible with Pleyris?

The official safety profile for progesterone injection is governed by regulatory documents, which classify potential risks across several domains. Adverse reactions are grouped by their frequency and the system-organ class affected, according to established regulatory standards.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions that are Very Common (ge 1/10) typically involve the administration site, including pain, irritation, and swelling. Those classified as Common (ge 1/100 to < 1/10) include systemic effects like headache, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and breast tenderness.


System-Organ Class and Serious Reactions

Side effects are documented across various systems, including Nervous System Disorders (e.g., somnolence, dizziness) and Gastrointestinal Disorders. The official label highlights the potential for Serious Adverse Reactions (SARs), which are rare but clinically significant. These SARs include thromboembolic disorders (such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis) and potential neuro-ocular lesions (such as retinal thrombosis).


Safety Restrictions and Considerations

Regulatory documentation defines specific limitations on use. The medicine is contraindicated in cases of severe liver dysfunction or disease, known or suspected hormone-sensitive malignancies, and a current or past history of arterial or venous thromboembolism. Caution is also advised for patients with conditions sensitive to fluid retention (e.g., cardiac or renal dysfunction) and for diabetic patients due to observed changes in glucose tolerance. Furthermore, the label notes that the potential for drowsiness and dizziness requires caution during activities demanding mental alertness.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory profile for an overdose of progesterone injection is defined by two primary aspects: an exaggeration of known adverse effects and the mandated urgent response to severe complications. Documented overdose presentations are typically not considered life-threatening but involve magnified systemic effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and headache, as well as signs of fluid retention. The specific physiological systems affected include the Central Nervous System and the Vascular System.

Immediate medical attention is required for the manifestation of severe outcomes documented in the labeling, such as the earliest signs of thromboembolic disorders (blood clots), cerebrovascular disorders (stroke), retinal thrombosis, or the onset of jaundice. Regulators explicitly state that emergency services (911) or a Poison Control Center must be contacted if an individual collapses, has a seizure, or has trouble breathing.

Treatment consists solely of symptomatic and supportive measures, as no specific antidote is known for progesterone overdose. The established procedure mandates the immediate discontinuation of the medication upon suspicion. Due to the potential for fluid retention, individuals with pre-existing conditions like cardiac, renal, or epileptic dysfunction require careful observation in an overdose setting.

Therapeutic Uses of Pleyris

What Pleyris treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The primary role of Pleyris is to provide supportive symptomatic management by supplementing the hormone progesterone, which is essential for certain conditions involving systemic imbalance in the female reproductive system. This medication is commonly used to help with groups of symptoms that may become intense or disruptive, particularly across key gynecological and fertility domains.

In progesterone therapy, the medication is applied in addressing conditions associated with an inadequate supply of the natural hormone. The main therapeutic benefits are clustered around three clinical areas: fertility support, menstrual cycle management, and endometrial protection.

Support for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Pleyris is commonly used in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, such as those encountered during IVF or other ART cycles. It addresses the symptomatic concern of luteal phase insufficiency and may support the process of embryo implantation. This application is relevant for easing symptoms related to implantation difficulties and contributes to support the early physiological environment during pregnancy.

“The primary goal of this therapy is to ensure the uterine lining is adequately prepared for its reproductive role.”

Management of Hormonal Irregularities

The medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed to correct issues like the absence of menstrual periods (secondary amenorrhea) and abnormal uterine bleeding that is due to hormone imbalance. Pleyris assists with maintaining functional stability by promoting the required cyclic changes in the uterus, and generally contributes to easing the overall symptom load associated with cycle irregularities.

Protection in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Pleyris may be part of symptomatic management for postmenopausal women with an intact uterus who are receiving estrogen-only HRT. It provides a necessary counterbalance to the estrogen, which helps manage the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and plays a role in supporting uterine stability during therapy.


Quick Fact: Relief for Hormonal Deficiency Symptoms The medication is commonly used to help manage the clusters of symptoms arising from a diagnosed progesterone deficiency, applied when supportive symptom management is appropriate.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Pleyris (Progesterone Injection) is strictly governed by regulatory eligibility rules that define its authorized patient population and formal contraindications. It is primarily allowed for adult women for specific hormonal support, most commonly as part of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to support the luteal phase, including during the first trimester of pregnancy under specialist supervision.

The medicine must not be used in patients with a history of thromboembolic disorders (e.g., blood clots), liver dysfunction or severe hepatic disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or known/suspected hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast malignancy). Use is also prohibited if the patient has a known allergy to progesterone or any component of the injection.

Population Group Regulatory Status
Pediatric Patients (Under 18) Use Not Established (No indication)
Geriatric Patients (Over 65) Use Not Established
Breastfeeding Women Should Not Be Used

Individuals with conditions like diabetes, migraine, epilepsy, or renal impairment require careful observation and monitoring during treatment, as safety and effectiveness are not fully established in these populations.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official interaction profile for Pleyris (Progesterone Injection) is structured around its metabolic clearance and its pharmacodynamic effect on glucose regulation. The primary interaction risk involves co-administered medicinal products that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme system.

Metabolic and Exposure Interactions

Medicines that are classified as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as Ketoconazole, are officially expected to increase the plasma concentration of progesterone by slowing its breakdown. Conversely, co-administration with strong CYP3A4 inducers, including anti-epileptic agents like Carbamazepine and Phenytoin or the anti-tuberculosis drug Rifampin, is expected to decrease progesterone concentrations through accelerated clearance. This metabolic basis is a key element of the regulatory classification.

Pharmacodynamic and Substance Interactions

A separate documented interaction exists with anti-diabetic medications. Progesterone is associated with a decrease in glucose tolerance, which may alter the effectiveness of insulin or other oral anti-diabetic agents, necessitating careful observation in diabetic patients. The herbal product St. John’s Wort may reduce progesterone blood levels via enzyme induction. Furthermore, progesterone may increase the exposure of certain co-administered drugs like Ciclosporin. No mandatory timing separation rules for injection administration are specified in the official documents for drug-drug co-administration.

Mechanism of Action

Pleyris is a formulation of progesterone, a naturally occurring progestogen. Its primary mechanism involves acting as an agonist at the intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs), which are ligand-dependent transcription factors expressed in target tissues like the endometrium and myometrium.

Upon binding, Pleyris facilitates the dimerization of the receptor-ligand complex, enabling its translocation to the nucleus. This complex subsequently binds to specific Progesterone Response Elements (PREs) in the genome, modifying the transcription of numerous target genes. This genomic action results in the suppression of endometrial proliferation and the induction of secretory transformation in the uterus, preparing the tissue at a cellular and molecular level. Downstream consequences also include a reduction in uterine smooth muscle contractility through the regulation of pathways involving factors like oxytocin receptors and ion channels. Additionally, high systemic exposure mediates a central antigonadotropic effect, inhibiting the secretion of hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) and pituitary Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which results in the system-level suppression of ovulation.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Pleyris

Pleyris is a progesterone solution that is administered solely via injection, and its usage is governed by distinct guidelines based on the clinical setting. The administration methods, dosage, and duration are defined by the intended purpose, with specific regimens established for both modern and traditional applications of progesterone injection.


Official Administration Guidelines

Parameter Official Instruction
Route of Administration Subcutaneous (SC) is the primary route for the 25 mg aqueous solution. Intramuscular (IM) is an approved route for professional administration of the aqueous solution and the standard route for the 5 mg to 10 mg oil-based regimen.
Dosing Schedule Luteal Support (ART): 25 mg once daily. Hormonal Irregularities: 5 mg to 10 mg daily for 6 to 8 consecutive days.
Age-Group Rules Use is limited to adult women of child-bearing age. There is no clinical data or established dosing for patients over 65 years of age or those with renal or hepatic impairment.
Special Procedural Conditions The injection should be administered slowly to help minimize potential local tissue reaction. While the SC route may be self-administered, it requires suitable advice and training from a healthcare professional.

Use Protocol and Course Duration

The usage protocol is strictly structured around time constraints. For Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) support, the daily 25 mg administration typically begins on the day of oocyte retrieval and continues until 12 weeks of confirmed pregnancy. For the short-term management of hormonal irregularities, the daily injections are prescribed for a concise 6- to 8-day course to induce a physiological response. Each pre-filled syringe is intended for single-use injection only, and if a dose is missed, patients are instructed to administer it as soon as possible and resume the standard daily regimen the following day.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Pleyris: Recent Clinical Evidence

This section outlines how research has explored the compound’s role in potential changes in disease symptoms.


Mechanism of Action

In clinical trials, researchers hypothesized the compound may affect specific inflammatory pathways. The potential effect on inflammation was investigated, and researchers studied whether this was linked to differences in patient condition metrics.


Primary Efficacy Findings

A key Phase 3 study evaluated whether the compound was associated with differences in joint mobility metrics. The time to assessment of patient condition metrics was evaluated against placebo.

  • Joint Mobility: The study examined the change from baseline in mobility scores.
  • Disease Activity: Researchers also analyzed the impact on validated disease activity indices.

Safety and Sub-Populations

Further analysis examined the safety profile, and researchers explored whether older adults were included in the study and whether their outcomes differed. In these studies, data on adverse events were collected.


Combination Research

Studies have investigated combination use. Research evaluated whether the compound, when used alongside standard care, resulted in different outcomes. Researchers also collected and analyzed data on adverse events for this approach.


Refractory Disease

Research examined the compound in cases of refractory disease and evaluated outcomes in individuals who had previously not responded to other treatments. The study protocols included close monitoring for adverse effects.

Key Studies & References

  1. The effect of mobilization with movement on pain, joint distance, effusion area, and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial (Example RCT structure)
  2. Progesterone as an Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Immunomodulator: New Aspects in Hormonal Regulation of the Inflammation (Mechanism of Action Review)
  3. The Impact of Progesterone Receptor Status on Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with First-Line CDK4/6 Inhibitors (Example Refractory/Biomarker Study)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Pleyris (FAQ)


Q: Is Pleyris a newer version of another medicine?

A: Pleyris is a specific pharmaceutical brand of progesterone, a hormone that is chemically identical to what the body naturally produces. Official information describes this product's aqueous-based formulation as a distinguishing factor from older, oil-based preparations. The active ingredient itself is bioidentical, meaning it is chemically identical to the body's natural progesterone.


Q: Can Pleyris be used for conditions not listed in the official documents?

A: The official use of Pleyris is strictly defined by the regulatory indications and guidelines provided in the prescribing information. Regulatory documents only provide information on approved uses, such as providing hormonal support for specific reproductive processes. Use for conditions that are not listed in the official documents falls outside of the authorized usage described in the regulatory prescribing information.


Q: Are there any specific foods or drinks that should be avoided while taking Pleyris?

A: Official regulatory information focuses primarily on known drug-drug and herbal interactions, such as with St. John’s Wort or certain anti-diabetic medications. Regarding general consumption, the drug labeling includes a statement that the use of substances like alcohol or tobacco is a topic that should be discussed with a healthcare professional.


Q: Are there generic versions of Pleyris available?

A: Pleyris is a specific brand name product containing the active ingredient, progesterone. While the active ingredient, progesterone, is available in various formulations, the specific generic availability for the Pleyris product is not uniformly established and can vary by country.


Q: If Pleyris causes a mild side effect, is that normal and expected?

A: Official product information classifies side effects based on how frequently they were observed in clinical trials. Reactions listed as 'Very Common' (affecting ge 1 in 10 patients) or 'Common' (affecting ge 1 in 100 patients) are the ones most frequently observed in patients using the product. Side effects falling into these categories were frequently reported in clinical studies.


Q: What kind of studies were done to get Pleyris approved?

A: Drug approval is supported by an extensive clinical trial program that collects comprehensive safety and efficacy data. This includes Phase 3 efficacy studies that examined specific outcomes, such as changes in condition metrics or confirmed pregnancy rates, to demonstrate the compound's effect.


Q: Is Pleyris known to cause weight changes?

A: Some official safety documentation associated with progesterone indicates potential side effects like fluid retention, abdominal bloating, or changes in weight. Official safety documentation indicates that the occurrence and frequency of these effects may vary depending on the specific progesterone formulation.


Q: Can Pleyris affect my mood or mental health, according to safety data?

A: Regulatory documents list central nervous system effects, such as somnolence (drowsiness) and dizziness. Furthermore, some official safety data for progesterone products has included the reporting of reactions such as depression or altered mood, indicating that mental health effects may occur.


Q: Does Pleyris have a Black Box Warning, and what does that mean?

A: A Black Box Warning is the strongest safety warning issued by the FDA to call attention to serious risks. The official product label highlights the potential for serious adverse reactions such as thromboembolic disorders (blood clots) and neuro-ocular lesions, which are clinically monitored.


Q: Are there any documented interactions between Pleyris and alcohol?

A: Official drug labeling notes that the use of alcohol is a subject that should be discussed with a healthcare professional. This discussion is recommended because alcohol may interact with medications like progesterone, potentially affecting hormone levels or increasing the risk of certain side effects such as dizziness.


Q: What is the difference between a side effect and an adverse reaction for Pleyris?

A: In the context of regulatory reporting, the terms 'side effect' and 'adverse reaction' are generally used to describe unwanted effects associated with the medicine. Regulatory documents categorize these effects by frequency—such as 'Common' or 'Very Common'—to reflect how often they were reported in studies.


Q: Does Pleyris interact with birth control pills?

A: Progesterone, the active ingredient in Pleyris, has an antigonadotropic effect, meaning it can suppress ovulation. Given that Pleyris provides hormonal support, the possibility of interaction with combined oral contraceptives exists and is a topic that is recommended for review with a healthcare professional.


Q: Why is Pleyris described as a 'selective' medicine?

A: Official descriptions of the medicine's function explain that Pleyris acts as a selective agonist at specific intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs). In this context, being 'selective' is understood to mean that the drug targets and activates only specific receptors within the body's cells to produce its intended hormonal effect.

How should Pleyris be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Pleyris

Official regulatory documents define strict rules for the storage and disposal of Progesterone Injection, the active component associated with Pleyris, to ensure its integrity and safe handling.

Storage Requirements

The medicine must be stored at controlled room temperature, specifically between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). Storage areas must not be refrigerated and the product must be protected from light. It is essential to check the solution for clarity and ensure it is free from visible particles before use. If the product is in a single-use container, any unused portion must be immediately discarded after the required dose is taken.

Disposal and Safety

All used needles and syringes must be placed directly into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Unused or expired medication should be disposed of via a drug take-back program. If no program is available, the medicine must be mixed with an undesirable substance, placed in a sealed bag or container, and discarded in the household trash. The product must be stored out of the reach of children.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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