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

Premarin Information

Premarin is an estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness or thinning. It is also prescribed to treat certain conditions causing low estrogen levels and to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis in women at high risk of bone loss. It works by providing conjugated estrogens, a mixture of different estrogen hormones, to replace and supplement the declining natural estrogen levels in the body.

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, headache, and hair loss. You may also experience breast tenderness, swelling, or pain, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or changes in menstrual periods.

Contact your doctor if you have any of the serious side effects, including:

• Cardiovascular Disorders: Increased risk of blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), stroke, and heart attack.

• Dementia: Possible increased risk of probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older.

• Gallbladder Disease: An increased risk of developing gallstones or gallbladder inflammation requiring medical intervention.

• Malignant Neoplasms: Increased risk of cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer) when used without a progestogen in women with a uterus, as well as a potentially increased risk of breast cancer.

• Vision Loss: Potential for retinal vascular thrombosis (blood clots in the eye) or changes in corneal shape, making contact lenses uncomfortable.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden leg pain or swelling, severe chest pain, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath, a sudden, severe headache, dizziness, or fainting, sudden vision changes or vision loss, or a new lump in the breast. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly if you are on a long-term treatment plan without consulting your doctor, as abrupt withdrawal can cause a rapid return of your menopausal symptoms or abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Precautions:

Do not use Premarin if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to conjugated estrogens or any of the inactive ingredients, binders, or color additives in the tablet. Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have:
o Active or past blood clots in the legs, lungs, or deep veins.
o History of, active, or suspected breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancers.
o Known or suspected pregnancy.
o Liver disease or impaired liver function.
o Recent heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
o Undiagnosed or unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Premarin may interact with medications that speed up the clearance of estrogens from the body by inducing liver enzymes, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampin, and St. John's Wort, which can lower hormone levels and reduce the drug's effectiveness. It may also alter your requirements for thyroid replacement therapy or interfere with certain blood thinners.

Premarin is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and must be stopped immediately if you become pregnant. Estrogens pass into breast milk and can decrease both the quality and quantity of the milk produced; therefore, use during breastfeeding is generally not recommended. It is recommended to speak to your doctor immediately if you are planning to get pregnant.

In women who still have a uterus, Premarin must be used in conjunction with a progestogen medication to reduce the long-term risk of endometrial hyperplasia and uterine cancer.

Store Premarin tablets at room temperature (20°C to 25°C) in a dry place away from heat and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed and protect it from direct light. Always store the medication safely out of the reach of children and pets.

Do I need a prescription to order Premarin?

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