Livial

What is Livial?

Livial is a HRT treatment that helps to tackle menopausal symptoms. It’s also a second line tablet for osteoporosis, which can develop in the first couple of years after the onset of the menopause.

Livial is sometimes referred to as Tibolone, the active ingredient in the tablet. It’s a treatment that’s only suitable for postmenopausal women who haven’t had a period for one year or more.

How does Livial work?

It works by imitating oestrogen and progesterone, which are naturally occurring female hormones in the body.

Livial is a little different from combined HRT treatments like Indivina and Evorel Conti, or oestrogen only options such as Estradot, as it doesn’t contain actual oestrogen and progesterone hormone replacements. Your body instead breaks down the active ingredient, tibolone, to make these hormones.

When you experience the menopause, the levels of oestrogen in your body start to drop, and this can trigger various symptoms, including vaginal dryness and discomfort when you’re having sex, trouble sleeping, hot flushes, night sweats and depression or anxiety. Tibolone, the active ingredient in Livial, makes up the oestrogen deficit, and helps to bring these symptoms under control.

What’s the difference between Tibolone and Livial?

Tibolone is the generic version of Livial (which is the branded treatment), so it works in the same way in the body. Only the packaging that it comes in and the tablets themselves may look different.

Because it’s a generic product, it’s usually cheaper than Livial. It might also contain different non-active ingredients, like the tablet’s film coating. Otherwise though, the two medications are essentially the same.

How to use Livial

You should not take Livial if you’ve had your period within the last 12 months. If you’ve never used HRT before or you’ve had a hysterectomy, you can use Livial straight away.

One tablet should be taken daily. Each strip of pills comes with the days of the week marked on them, so you can keep track of what you’ve taken.

It’s likely that you’ll be prescribed the lowest dose of Livial at the start of treatment to minimise the risk of side effects and possible toleration issues. If needed, this can be increased over time to find the right balance for you.

If I miss a Livial dose, what should I do?

If you forget to take a Livial tablet and it’s within 12 hours of its scheduled dose, simply take it as soon as you remember. After 12 hours, the tablet can be skipped and you can just carry on taking it as you normally would.

You should never take two tables to make up for a missed one as this can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

How long does it take for Livial to work?

It usually takes a few weeks for any HRT medication to provide noticeable relief from your menopausal symptoms, and a little longer for it to become fully effective.

Our clinician will usually recommend waiting three months to see if you’re getting the benefits you should from the treatment, during which time the dosage can be adjusted. It might take a little patience, but you should get there eventually.