Zalkya is a tablet you take to manage endometriosis. It reduces the pain, cramps and heavy bleeding that can often result from it. Rather than just treating your symptoms though, Zalkya attacks the root cause.
So Zalkya doesn’t just reduce your pain during flare-ups, it also helps you get better over time. Living with endometriosis is difficult, but Zalkya can make it easier.
How does Zalkya work?
Zalkya contains the active ingredient dienogest, a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone. The extra progestin blocks the production of too much oestrogen, which can increase your symptoms.
Oestrogen helps the lining of the womb, or the endometrial tissue, to grow. Endometriosis is caused by having too many endometrial cells that often grow outside of your uterus. This is what leads to the excess pain, cramping and bleeding.
Zalkya stops too much endometrial tissue from developing in your ovaries, fallopian tubes or other organs and reduces the risk of endometrial lesions. So it manages your pain from the inside out.
What doses of Zalkya are there?
There’s only one dose of Zalkya. It’s a tablet with 2mg of dienogest and you take it once a day. If you’ve tried this dose and it’s not working for you, talk to your clinician for advice. There may be another endometriosis treatment that could work better for you.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Zalkya
Your clinician will give you advice on how exactly to take Zalkya. If you have any questions, you can message us if you’ve ordered from us, just by logging into your account.
You can start taking Zalkya on any day of your menstrual cycle. Keep taking it during your period;
Choose a convenient time to take Zalkya, and try to take it at that same time each day;
Don’t crush or chew the tablet;
Drinking some water with Zalkya can help you swallow it. You can take Zalkya with or without food;
Once you’ve finished a pack of Zalkya, go straight onto the next one without a break;
Don’t drink grapefruit juice while you’re taking Zalkya. It can raise the concentration of the drug in your blood to very high levels, raising your risk of side effects.
How long does it take Zalkya to work?
Zalkya is absorbed into your system quickly. It reaches peak levels in your blood just one and a half hours after you take it. But it can take some time to start improving your endometriosis symptoms, as the hormones need to build up and start working on your endometrial tissue.
Most women notice a significant improvement in their symptoms after just a few months. But Zalkya also gets better over time, so don’t stop taking it without chatting to your clinician first. If your pain hasn’t reduced after a few months of taking Zalkya, go back and talk to your clinician. There may be another treatment that suits you better.
What do I do if I make a mistake while taking Zalkya?
If you forget to take Zalkya, take it as soon as you remember. Then keep taking your medication as normal. Don’t take two tablets after missing one. If you’re vomiting or you have diarrhoea within three to four hours of taking your tablet, treat it like missing a pill — just take another one as soon as possible.
There are some things you can do to try and help you remember to take your tablets on time. Medication reminder apps or alarms on your phone might be a good option for you if you’re worried about forgetting. Taking Zalkya at the same time everyday, like always having your pill with breakfast, might also help.
If you take too much Zalkya, it’s unlikely to cause any serious problems. But if you’re concerned, contact your clinician to make sure. If you have any questions about Zalkya, you can log into your account and message our clinicians at any time when you order through us.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Zalkya
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Zalkya different from other treatments for endometriosis?
Answer:
For many people, the first step in endometriosis treatment is painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen. These can help to manage your pain, but unlike Zalkya, they won’t address the root cause of your endometriosis symptoms. Some people take Zalkya in combination with an over-the-counter painkiller when their pain is especially bad.
Zalkya is different to some other hormonal treatments for endometriosis, as some of them are combined pills. So they don’t just have a progestin like Zalkya, they also have a synthetic form of oestrogen. Some people don’t react well to combined pills, so progestin-only pills like Zalkya can be a good option instead.
For some people with endometriosis, hormonal contraceptives and painkillers aren’t enough to control their symptoms. They may need surgery to remove some of the endometrial tissue that’s growing outside their uterus. You’ll need to visit a clinician for some tests if you think this might be a good choice for you.
Is Zalkya similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
There are other progestin treatments for endometriosis, like Norethisterone and Provera. They work in a similar way, but the active ingredients are different. One might suit you better than another.
Zalkya is sometimes sold under different brand names, like Visanne. This has the same active ingredient as Zalkya in the same dose, so it works in a really similar way. There are also pills containing dienogest along with a synthetic form of oestrogen, like Qlaira. The estradiol in Qlaira means it’s generally used for contraception or heavy periods rather than endometriosis treatment.
Which contraceptives can I use while taking Zalkya?
Answer:
You can’t take another contraceptive pill while you’re using Zalkya, whether it’s a mini (progesterone only) or combined pill. You also can’t use the hormonal intrauterine system (IUS), the patch, the ring or the implant. This is because they all use hormones to prevent pregnancy.
But you do have options for contraception while you’re taking Zalkya. Barrier methods, like condoms, diaphragms or caps, are a good option for a lot of people. There’s also the intrauterine device (IUD), that lasts for up to ten years and is 99% effective, without containing any hormones. Zalkya doesn’t work as a contraceptive, so it’s important to use another method of preventing pregnancy if that’s a risk for you.
Will Zalkya stop my period?
Answer:
Some people find that their bleeding during their periods becomes lighter or less frequent while taking Zalkya. Some people’s periods might even stop completely. This is because the lining of your uterus, which is shed during your period, is made much thinner by progestin-only treatment.
Everyone’s different, so you can’t be sure exactly how Zalkya will affect your bleeding until you try it. Many people find that any changes to their bleeding only last for the first few months of taking Zalkya. Your period will return to normal after you stop taking Zalkya.
How effective is Zalkya?
Answer:
Zalkya is a safe and effective treatment for endometriosis. A review of published studies on Zalkya for endometriosis found that it was better than combined contraceptive pills. This was measured by several factors, mostly reduction in pain and quality of life, but also fertility and improved bleeding.
Not only did Zalkya outperform combined contraceptive pills, it also helped to delay and avoid surgery. For people who’d already had endometriosis surgery, 0% of women taking Zalkya had their endometriosis come back after five years, compared to 50% of women on no treatment whatsoever. 55.5% of women who’d been taking combined oral contraceptives for five years had their endometriosis come back after they stopped taking the pills.
So Zalkya can be a life changing treatment for endometriosis, outperforming a range of other treatments.
Do I need a prescription for Zalkya?
Answer:
Zalkya is only available on prescription. It’s not suitable for everyone, depending on other medications you’re taking or conditions you have. If you chat to us about your health, we can let you know if Zalkya might be right for you.
Just talk to us about your endometriosis symptoms and we’ll let you know your options. If Zalkya is right for you, you can order online straight from us.
Why should I buy Zalkya online with Treated?
Answer:
The pain of endometriosis can make everyday life difficult. At Treated, we can help you get your life back to normal. Best of all, we make it easy. To get proven treatment that’s tailored to your needs, you don’t have to book multiple appointments and travel to the pharmacy to pick up different drugs. Just talk to our clinicians about your symptoms online.
We’ll help you find the best treatment for you and have it delivered straight to your doorstep. And if you’ve got any questions or concerns at any time, just log into your account and send our experts a message.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Recurrence of ovarian endometrioma after laparoscopic excision: Risk factors and prevention. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 40(1), pp.230-236.
