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| Pronunciation |
|
 (es
tra DYE ole & nor eth IN
drone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Activella™;
CombiPatch™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Estrogen Derivative |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Estrogens, when used in women after menopause, may increase the
risk of cancer of the uterus. Progestins may decrease this risk. A warning sign
for cancer of the uterus is unusual vaginal bleeding. Report any unusual vaginal
bleeding to your healthcare provider. Do not take estrogens if you are pregnant.
Estrogens may cause birth defects to your unborn child. Contact your healthcare
provider if you think you may be
pregnant.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to estrogens, progesterone, estradiol,
norethindrone, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Vaginal bleeding of an
unknown cause, known or suspected breast cancer, a history of blood clots,
stroke, a tumor where estrogen makes it grow.
- If you are pregnant or think you may be
pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to stop/reduce the symptoms of menopause,
especially hot flashes, vaginal dryness, itching, or burning.
- It helps prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones; can lead to breaks) in
women past menopause. This medicine works best when used with calcium/vitamin D
supplements, weight-bearing exercises like walking, or physical therapy. It may
also be used to lower high cholesterol in women who have gone through menopause.
- Norethindrone is used to decrease the side effects of
estrogens.
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| How does it work? |
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- After menopause, when the body no longer produces estrogen, it is used
as a simple replacement of estrogen.
- The addition of a progestin, such as norethindrone, reduces
endometrial changes (precancerous) and the risk of endometrial
cancer.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Tablet:
- Take with food at a similar time every day or as directed by your
healthcare provider.
- Skin patch:
- Place skin patch (sticky side) on clean, dry area of the skin (butt,
stomach, upper inner thigh or upper arm). Follow directions of prescription for
how often it to replace. Rotate
site.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- Replace patch as soon as
possible.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase
risk of breast cancer.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart or high blood pressure. Talk
with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have ever had any blood clots in your
legs, arms, or lungs.
- There may be a higher risk of breast cancer. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust during use of medicine and for 1 month after stopping it.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Breast enlargement/tenderness.
- For women, vaginal bleeding (breakthrough bleeding, spotting) may
occur.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Periodic breast and gynecologic exams are important.
- Follow diet plan (calcium supplementation) as recommended by
healthcare provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or
bleeding between cycles.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Swelling/pain of a leg or arm, sudden shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, chest pain.
- A lump in the breast.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Read the package insert for more details (given with the medicine).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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