Generic name: Conjugated Estrogens
Brand names: Premarin 28s
General Information
Premarin contains a combination of estrogen hormones which treat symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, irritation and burning. It can be prescribed also to prevent osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) in postmenopausal females, and to replace estrogen in females with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen. Premarin is sometimes taken as part of cancer treatment in men and women. Don’t take Premarin to prevent heart disease or dementia, since this pill may increase the risk of developing these conditions. Premarin 28s differs from the regular Premarin in the contents and quantity. It is a 28-day pills supply. The first 14 contain estrogen. The other 14 contain both estrogen and progesterone.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Premarin earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Don’t smoke.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
You should not take Premarin in case you have:
- a history of heart attack, blood clot (especially in your lung or your lower body), stroke
- liver disease
- any type of uterine, breast or hormone-dependent cancer
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- allergy to any drugs
- asthma
- endometriosis
- diabetes
- a personal or family history of stroke
- porphyria
- heart disease, circulation problems, high blood pressure
- migraines
- high cholesterol or triglycerides
- kidney disease
- uterus removed (hysterectomy)
- gall
- bladder disease
- high or low levels of calcium in your blood
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder
- underactive thyroid
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
The risk of blood clots or stroke may be increased by long-term treatment. Consult your physician about your individual risks, especially if you are overweight or smoke.
Be aware that your medical assistant will check your progress regularly.
FDA pregnancy category X. Don’t take the remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment.
Don’t give this remedy to anyone younger than18 years without the doctor’s prescription.
This drug may increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, this condition may lead to uterus cancer. You may lower this risk by taking progestins.
What is recommended dosage for Premarin?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Do not share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s prescription. Do not take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Your physician will start treatment with Premarin with a low dose and change the dosage depending on your progress. Your doctor will check you regularly at 3- to 6-month intervals. Take this remedy with a full glass of water with or without food at the same time each day.
Inform any doctor who treats you that you are taking Premarin.
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions: vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting.
Side effects:
Contact yor doctor immediately if you feel any sign of an allergy: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your throat, face, lips or tongue.
Stop taking Premarin and contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- swelling or pain in the lower part of leg
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- a breast lump
- heavy feeling or chest pain, pain spreading to the shoulder or arm, sweating, nausea
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- general ill feeling
- swelling in your feet or hands
- sudden weakness, numbness, especially on one side of the body
- migraine headache
- confusion
- problems with memory or concentration, vision, speech, or balance
- swelling, pain or tenderness in your stomach
Less serious side effects:
- changes in appetite or weight
- vaginal discharge or itching
- swelling, breast pain, tenderness
- nervousness, headache, tired feeling, dizziness
- problems with contact lenses
- vomiting, stomach cramps, mild nausea, bloating,
- loss of scalp hair, increased hair growth
- decreased sex drive
- freckles or darkening of facial skin
- changes in your menstrual periods
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Interactions:
- rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifamate)
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal)
- insulin or diabetes medicine taken orally
- itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- antidepressants such as amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Etrafon, Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine), doxepin (Sinequan), protriptyline (Vivactil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or trimipramine (Surmontil)
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- seizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), felbamate (Felbatol), or primidone (Mysoline)
- a thyroid medication such as levothyroxine (Synthroid)
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Storage:
Premarin should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F), in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Premarin out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.