PREMARIN

Who is Premarin for ?

Estrogen is a hormone, a substance produced by the body. It is needed for normal growth and development of female sex organs and for functions such as bearing children. Estrogen is used for symptoms associated with menopause: hot flashes (feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest), sweating, sleep disturbance, vaginal discomfort (dryness and itchiness), poor concentration, and irritability. It is also used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and breast and prostate cancer in men. Estrogen also is used with diet, calcium supplements, and exercise to slow the progression of osteoporosis, a disease common in women after menopause resulting in bones that break easily. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Many forms or types of estrogen are used for estrogen replacement therapy. During menopause, when estrogen hormone levels are diminished in a woman, estrogen can be supplied in pill form, patches, creams, and intravaginally. Using estrogen replacement therapy will help replace or restore the estrogen that your body may be lacking and works in your body in the same way as your own estrogen.

When should I be careful taking Premarin ?

• Estrogens should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
• Estrogens should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.
• For use in the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy associated with the menopause, topical vaginal products should be considered (e.g. Premarin cream, Estrace, Vagifem).
• For use in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, therapy should only be considered for women at significant risk of osteoporosis and non-estrogen medications should be carefully considered.

Do not take estrogens if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant, call your doctor immediately. Discuss with your doctor the risks associated with the use of estrogens and the development of endometrial cancer.

Before taking estrogen,

• ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics or anti-infectives, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), rifampin, steroids (Decadron, Medrol, Prednisone), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast lumps or cancer; high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol and fats; diabetes; asthma; a history of stroke, blood clots, toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), or heart attack; epilepsy (seizures); migraine headaches; history of depression; liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney disease; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes): genital bleeding; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention (bloating) during the menstrual cycle.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking estrogen, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking estrogen.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses.
• tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug.

Side Effects

Although side effects from estrogen are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• stomach cramps
• bloating
• diarrhea
• appetite and weight changes
• glucose intolerance (increased blood sugar)
• brown or black skin patches
• acne
• swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs (fluid retention)
• increased blood pressure
• bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• changes in menstrual flow
• painful or missed periods
• breast tenderness, enlargement, or secretion
• intolerance to contact lenses

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• sudden, severe headache
• sudden, severe vomiting
• sudden partial or complete loss of vision
• speech problems
• crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
• coughing up blood
• sudden shortness of breath
• calf pain
• severe stomach pain
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• severe mental depression
• unusual bleeding
• loss of appetite