Q: I have read some adverse reports on susten. I was on this medication upto the 6th week of my pregnancy. Presently I am in my 14th week and on Gestofit. Will Susten harm my baby?

A:Susten is the brand name of a hormone called progesterone, which is also sold by another company under the brand name of Gestofit. Thus Susten and Gestofit are identical in their uses and adverse effects. Unfortunately due to aggressive promotion brands such as Susten and Gestofit are being used as if they are tonics. This is dangerous. Susten or Gestofit are to be used only if there is proven, documented deficiency of this hormone before conception to facilitate pregnancy in some selected women who are unable to conceive. It is used in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as IVF, never in normal conception. Its side effects include cramps, headache, nausea, depression, nervousness, somnolence, breast changes, weight increase, fluid retention and rarely death of the fetus in uterus. These are prohibited for use during pregnancy. Their use during early pregnancy can lead to birth defects in the baby such as cleft palate, cleft (hare) lip, heart defects. Rare cases of fetal death and spontaneous abortion have been reported in women given progesterone.