Drugs >  Estradiol and Norgestimate
Estradiol and Norgestimate
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(es tra DYE ole & nor JES ti mate)

Brand Names
Ortho-Prefest®

Therapeutic Categories
Estrogen and Progestin Combination

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

You should not smoke while taking this medicine. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart and blood-related side effects. This risk increases with age (older than 35 years of age) and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day). Birth control pills do not prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases.


Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to estradiol, norgestimate, or any other part of this medicine.
  • 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots, breast cancer, diseased arteries in the brain, disease of a heart valve with complications, endometrial cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, liver tumor, adrenal problems, severe headache, high blood pressure, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
  • If you are a heavy smoker (more than 15 cigarettes per day) and older than 35 years of age.
  • If you turned yellow during pregnancy or with oral contraceptive use.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

  • What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal females.
  • This medicine is used to stop or reduce the symptoms of menopause.

  • How does it work?
  • When the body no longer produces estrogen, this medicine is used as an estrogen replacement.
  • Norgestimate is a progesterone used to reduce endometrial cell changes and the risk of endometrial cancer.

  • How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
  • This medicine works best when used with calcium/vitamin D supplements and weight-bearing exercises like walking or physical therapy.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

  • What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

  • What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Do not use this medicine if you have a history of breast cancer or a strong family history of breast cancer.
  • If you are taking a blood thinner, you will require more frequent monitoring.
  • If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have migraines, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Do not take St John's wort, dong quai, black cohosh, saw palmetto, red clover, or ginseng with this medicine.
  • If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
  • Avoid caffeine.
  • Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 years of age and/or smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day are at an increased risk for heart disease.

  • What are the common side effects of this medicine?
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Belly pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Breast enlargement.

  • What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
  • Check blood work (cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Have a yearly eye exam.
  • Bone density test.
  • Periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and yearly gynecologic exams are important.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.

  • Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.
  • Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
  • Severe headache.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Not hungry.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Change in contact lens tolerance.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.
  • For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

  • How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

  • General statements
  • 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
  • Read the package insert for more details.

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