conjugated estrogens vaginal
Generic Name: conjugated estrogens (vaginal) (KON joo gay ted ES troe jenz)
Brand Names: Premarin Vaginal
What are conjugated estrogens (vaginal)?
Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for
many processes in the body.
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) are a mixture of estrogen hormones used to treat the
vaginal symptoms of menopause such as dryness, burning, and irritation.
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) should not be used to prevent heart disease or
dementia, because this medication may actually increase your risk of developing these
conditions.
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about conjugated
estrogens (vaginal)?
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of
heart attack, stroke, or blood clot (especially in your lung or your lower body), liver disease,
abnormal vaginal bleeding, or a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer.
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
conjugated estrogens (vaginal) if you are pregnant.
Long-term treatment with conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of breast cancer,
heart attack, or stroke. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using conjugated
estrogens (vaginal) long term, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should
check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should
continue this treatment.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis
while using conjugated estrogens (vaginal).
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) should not be used to prevent heart disease or
dementia, because this medication may actually increase your risk of developing these
conditions.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using conjugated
estrogens (vaginal)?
Do not use conjugated estrogens (vaginal) if you have:
-
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot (especially in your
lung or your lower body);
-
abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked;
-
liver disease; or
-
any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer.
Before using conjugated estrogens (vaginal), tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
high blood pressure, heart disease, or circulation problems;
-
a personal or family history of stroke;
-
endometriosis;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
asthma;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
migraines;
-
diabetes;
-
underactive thyroid;
-
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
-
high or low levels of calcium in your blood;
-
porphyria;
-
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
-
gallbladder disease; or
-
if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy).
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
conjugated estrogens (vaginal), or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during
treatment.
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) increase your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia,
a condition that may lead to cancer of the uterus. Taking progestins while using conjugated
estrogens may lower this risk. If your uterus has not been removed, your doctor may prescribe a
progestin for you to take while you are using conjugated estrogens (vaginal).
Long-term conjugated estrogens treatment may increase your risk of stroke or blood clots.
Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using conjugated estrogens (vaginal)
long term, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on
a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not
use conjugated estrogens (vaginal) if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away
if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are
using this medication. You should know that conjugated estrogens vaginal cream can weaken
the latex of a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap. Talk to your doctor about the best
contraceptive methods to use.
Conjugated estrogens can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This
medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication in anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
How should I use conjugated estrogens (vaginal)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Vaginal conjugated estrogens are usually prescribed for only a short time and are most
often used in a cycle, such as 3 weeks on followed by 1 week off. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
To apply this medication, use only the vaginal applicator provided. After each use, take
the applicator apart and clean it with mild soap and warm water. Do not use hot or boiling water.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis
if you are using conjugated estrogens (vaginal) long term.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
conjugated estrogens. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
This medication can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats
you that you are using conjugated estrogens.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and use your medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. Symptoms of a conjugated estrogens overdose may include nausea, vomiting, or
vaginal bleeding.
What should I avoid while using conjugated estrogens (vaginal)?
Do not smoke while using this medication. Smoking can increase your risk of blood
clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by conjugated estrogens (vaginal).
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder,
nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
-
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
-
pain or swelling in your lower leg;
-
abnormal vaginal bleeding;
-
migraine headache;
-
pain, swelling, or tenderness in your stomach;
-
confusion, problems with memory or concentration;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
-
a breast lump.
Continue using conjugated estrogens (vaginal) and talk to your doctor
if you have any of these less serious side effects:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
-
breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;
-
freckles or darkening of facial skin;
-
increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
-
changes in weight or appetite;
-
problems with contact lenses;
-
vaginal itching or discharge;
-
changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
-
headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect conjugated estrogens (vaginal)?
Before using conjugated estrogens, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
medicines:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
a thyroid medication such as levothyroxine (Synthroid);
-
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth;
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
-
seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin),
carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or primidone
(Mysoline);
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin
(Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or
trimipramine (Surmontil).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
conjugated estrogens (vaginal), or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during
treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect conjugated estrogens (vaginal). Tell
your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a
new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has information about conjugated estrogens (vaginal) written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Conjugated estrogens (vaginal) is available with a prescription under the brand name
Premarin Vaginal Cream. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your
pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.02. Revision Date: 9/27/06 11:11:41 AM.
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