What is conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many
processes in the body.
Conjugated estrogens are a mixture of estrogen hormones used to treat symptoms of
menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. Other uses include
prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and replacement of estrogen in women with
ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen in the body. Conjugated
estrogens are sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men.
Conjugated estrogens should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because
this medication may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.
Conjugated estrogens may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Do not use conjugated estrogens 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, 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;
-
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).
Conjugated estrogens 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.
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 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 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.
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 give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Take 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.
Conjugated estrogens are sometimes taken on a daily basis. For certain conditions, the
medication is given in a cycle, such as 3 weeks on followed by 1 week off. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
You may take conjugated estrogens with or without food. Try to take the medicine at the same
time each day.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while
using conjugated estrogens.
It is important to take conjugated estrogens regularly to get the most benefit. Get your
prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
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 conjugated estrogens at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the
medicine container tightly closed.
What happens if I miss a dose of conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Take the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the
missed dose and take your medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about conjugated estrogens (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of conjugated estrogens (oral)?
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 taking 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.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
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.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about conjugated estrogens (oral)?
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 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
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.
Conjugated estrogens 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 avoid while taking conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Do not smoke while using this medication. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots,
stroke, or heart attack caused by conjugated estrogens.
What other drugs will affect conjugated estrogens (oral)?
Before taking conjugated estrogens, tell your doctor if you are taking 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 (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan),
imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or
trimipramine (Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
conjugated estrogens. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of conjugated estrogens (oral)?
