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Home > Drug Category > Menopausal Hormone Therapy > Angeliq and Equivalent

Angeliq Information

Angeliq is a combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, in women with an intact uterus. It works by combining drospirenone, a progestogen, and estradiol, a naturally occurring estrogen, to replace declining hormone levels while protecting the uterine lining.

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include breast tenderness or pain, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and breakthrough bleeding or vaginal spotting. You may also experience mood swings, nervousness, or vaginal yeast infections.

Contact your doctor if you have any of the serious side effects of Angeliq, including:
• Breast Cancer and Endometrial Cancer: A potentially increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer with long-term use. While the progestogen reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, any unusual vaginal bleeding must be evaluated to rule out endometrial malignancy.
• Cardiovascular Events: Increased risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism), stroke, or heart attack. This risk is notably higher in women who smoke, are obese, or have pre-existing hypertension.
• Gallbladder Disease: Increased risk of developing gallstones or gallbladder inflammation requiring surgery.
• Hyperkalemia: Potential for increased potassium levels in the blood due to the drospirenone component, which exhibits antimineralocorticoid activity similar to spironolactone.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden leg pain or swelling, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, a sudden severe headache, vision changes, or a new lump in the breast. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly if you are on a long-term regimen without consulting your doctor, as withdrawal can cause a return of menopausal symptoms.

Precautions:

Do not use Angeliq if you have a known hypersensitivity to estradiol, drospirenone, or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablet. Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have:
o A history of cholestatic jaundice or severely elevated triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) can cause severe pancreatitis.
o Active or past blood clots (DVT or pulmonary embolism).
o Adrenal insufficiency (due to the risk of severe hyperkalemia).
o History of breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancers.
o Recent heart attack or stroke.
o Renal insufficiency or severe liver disease.
o Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Angeliq may interact with medications that increase serum potassium, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or chronic daily use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen). It may also interact with liver enzyme inducers like rifampin, carbamazepine, or St. John’s Wort, which can decrease hormone levels and lead to breakthrough bleeding.

Angeliq is contraindicated during pregnancy and must be stopped immediately if pregnancy occurs. If you are planning a pregnancy, Angeliq should not be used. Estrogens and progestogens are secreted into human milk and may affect its quality or quantity. Use during breastfeeding is generally not recommended. Because Angeliq contains a progestogen, it is specifically designed for women with a uterus to prevent endometrial hyperplasia associated with estrogen-only therapy.

Store tablets at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Keep the medication in its original blister pack to protect it from moisture and light. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do I need a prescription to order Angeliq?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Angeliq.