NHS alert for common medication – 12 groups of people should contact GP before taking it

The NHS has warned that certain people should contact their GP before taking a common medication. The drug, which is only available by prescription, is only suitable for certain people.

Tibolone helps reduce menopausal symptoms as well as prevent osteoporosis. It is a form of hormone replacement therapy and is taken by many women going through menopause. However, health officials say there are 12 groups of people that should be careful taking the drug.

As reported by Yorkshire Live, people who fall into these categories should consult a doctor before taking tibolone:

1. Have ever had an allergic reaction to tibolone or any other medicine
2. Have ever had breast cancer, are having tests for breast cancer, or are considered high risk due to family history
3. Have a type of cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you’re having tests for this
4. Have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
5. Have too much thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated
6. Have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or your lungs (pulmonary embolism)
7. Have a condition that affects how your blood clots, such as protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency
8. Have or recently had a condition caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina
9. Have ever had liver disease and your liver function tests are not back to normal
10. Have a rare inherited condition called porphyria
11. Have a rare inherited problem of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
12. Are pregnant or breastfeeding

The NHS adds: “Tibolone helps restore your hormone levels. It can also be prescribed to help stop your bones getting thinner after the menopause (osteoporosis).

“Tibolone works in a similar way to taking combined HRT containing oestrogen and progestogen. Some studies have suggested it may not be as effective as combined HRT as it may not increase your oestrogen levels as much.

“It’s only suitable if you had your last period more than a year ago (post-menopause). However, if you’ve had surgery to remove your ovaries or you’re taking gonadorelin analogues you can start taking it straight away.”

Meanwhile, people taking certain medicines including warfarin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and rifampicin should also seek medical advice before using tibolone. Herbal remedies are also included in the list.

The NHS continues: “It’s not possible to say that other herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with tibolone. They are not tested in the same way as pharmacy or prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they can have on other medicines.

“All of these products might affect other medicines you’re taking, so it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take them.”