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| Pronunciation |
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 (ES
troe jenz & me DROKS ee proe
JES te rone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Premphase™;
Prempro™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Estrogen Derivative |
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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. May
also be used to lower high cholesterol in women who have gone through menopause.
- Medroxyprogesterone is used to reduce the side effect 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, medroxyprogesterone, for at least 10
days a month reduces endometrial cell changes (precancerous) and the risk of
endometrial cancer.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take 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.
- Premphase™ has two different tablets: one for
days 1-14 of the month and one for days
15-28.
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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? |
|
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase
risk of breast cancer.
- This medicine does not treat depression or nervous problems.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have ever had circulation problems or
any blood clots in your legs, arms, or lungs.
- Do not use if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been
examined by healthcare provider.
- Do not use if you have had breast or uterine cancer or someone in
your family (sister, mother, or aunt) has had breast cancer. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- 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.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Breast enlargement/tenderness and water weight gain.
- 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 (monthly self-exams) and gynecologic exams are
important.
- Follow diet plan (calcium supplementation) and exercise program as
recommended by healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare provider at least every year. Talk about
duration of treatment.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
- 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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