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| Pronunciation |
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 (ES
troe jenz, KON joo gate ed, aye,
sin THET ik) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Cenestin™ |
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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. Unusual vaginal bleeding may be a warning sign for
this type of cancer. 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 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 except where the cancer has
spread, any history of blood clots, 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.
- 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. May
also lower cholesterol levels in women who have gone through menopause.
- It may be an estrogen replacement in women.
- It may be used vaginally as a cream to treat irritation and itching in
the vagina caused by menopause.
- It is rarely used, for the treatment of breast or prostate cancer that
has spread.
- Other uses include bleeding because of severe kidney failure, abnormal
uterine bleeding.
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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.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take the oral form with food at a similar time every day or as
directed by your healthcare provider. There may be days when you will not take
the medicine.
- Use the cream vaginally
only.
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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.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase
risk of breast cancer.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart or high blood pressure. Talk
with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- This medicine does not treat depression or nervous problems.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have ever had any circulation problems
or blood clots in your legs, arms, or lungs.
- There may be a higher risk of endometrial cancer in women who have
gone through menopause. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Estrogens may increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Do not use if you have had breast or uterine cancer or someone in your
family (sister or mother) has had breast cancer. Talk with your healthcare
provider.
- Do not use if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been
examined by your healthcare provider.
- If you have had high triglyceride levels tell 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? |
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- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- 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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- For women, periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and gynecologic exams
are important.
- Follow diet plan (calcium supplementation) and exercise program as
recommended by healthcare provider.
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Check lipid panel if triglyceride level ever high.
- Follow up with healthcare provider at least every year. Talk about
length of treatment.
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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.
- For women, 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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