Premarin

Premarin

     * Generic Name: conjugated estrogens
     * Brand Name: Premarin


     * What is conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What are the possible side effects of conjugated estrogens
       (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * How should I take conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Enjuvia, Premarin)?
     * What should I avoid while taking conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia,
       Premarin)?
     * What other drugs will affect conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia,
       Premarin)?
     * Where can I get more information (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

What is conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   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 menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal
   changes, and to prevent osteoporosis (bone loss) in menopausal
   women. Conjugated estrogens are also used to replace 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
   both women and men.

   Conjugated estrogens may also be used for purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia,
Premarin)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to
       your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
     * signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on
       one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech,
       problems with vision or balance;
     * signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain,
       feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in
       one or both legs;
     * swelling or tenderness in your stomach;
     * jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
     * memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior;
     * unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain;
     * a lump in your breast; or
     * high levels of calcium in your blood--nausea, vomiting,
       constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness,
       bone pain, lack of energy.

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, gas, stomach pain;
     * headache, back pain;
     * depression, sleep problems (insomnia);
     * breast pain; or
     * vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual
       periods, breakthrough bleeding.

   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.

What is the most important information I should know about conjugated
estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   You should not use this medicine if you have: undiagnosed vaginal
   bleeding, liver disease, a bleeding disorder, if you have major
   surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a
   blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or
   vagina.

   Do not use if you are pregnant.

   Conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of developing a condition
   that may lead to uterine cancer. Report any unusual vaginal
   bleeding right away.

   Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
   heart attack. Estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease,
   stroke, or dementia. Long-term use may increase your risk of cancer
   of the breast, uterus, or ovaries.

   Premarin Patient Information including How Should I Take
 

   Take the Menopause Quiz
   Menopause & Perimenopause: Symptoms, Signs

   Menopause and Perimenopause Slideshow
   Osteoporosis:Are Your Bones at Risk?

   Osteoporosis Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking conjugated
estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   You should not use conjugated estrogens if you have:
     * unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
     * liver disease;
     * a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
     * an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem
       or a hereditary blood disorder; or
     * a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast,
       uterus/cervix, or vagina.

   Do not use conjugated estrogens if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor
   right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

   Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
   heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood
   pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are
   overweight, or if you smoke.

   Estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or
   dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of
   developing these conditions.

   To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
   have ever had:
     * a hysterectomy;
     * heart disease;
     * liver problems, or jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;
     * kidney disease;
     * gallbladder disease;
     * asthma;
     * epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
     * migraines;
     * lupus;
     * endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
     * hereditary angioedema (an autoimmune disorder);
     * porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms
       affecting the skin or nervous system);
     * a thyroid disorder; or
     * high levels of calcium in your blood.

   Long-term use of conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of cancer
   of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this
   risk.

   Estrogen lowers the hormone needed to produce breast milk and can slow
   breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of developing a condition
   that may lead to uterine cancer. Your doctor may prescribe a
   progestin to take while you are using conjugated estrogens, to help
   lower this risk. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

   Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets
   provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
   questions.

   Conjugated estrogens are sometimes taken on a daily basis. For certain
   conditions, the medicine is given in a cycle, such as 3 weeks on
   followed by 1 week off. Follow your doctor's instructions.

   If you see what looks like part of a conjugated estrogen tablet in your
   stool, talk with your doctor.

   Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis to determine
   whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts
   for lumps on a monthly basis, and have regular mammograms.

   If you need major surgery with long-term bed rest, you may need to stop
   using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who
   treats you should know that you are using conjugated estrogens.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

   Premarin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
 

   Take the Menopause Quiz
   Menopause & Perimenopause: Symptoms, Signs

   Menopause and Perimenopause Slideshow
   Osteoporosis:Are Your Bones at Risk?

   Osteoporosis Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots,
   stroke, or heart attack while using conjugated estrogens.

   Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with conjugated
   estrogens and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of
   grapefruit products with your doctor.

What other drugs will affect conjugated estrogens (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time.
   Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which
   may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

   Many drugs can interact with conjugated estrogens. This includes
   prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal
   products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication
   guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information (Enjuvia, Premarin)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about conjugated
   estrogens.
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