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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ETH
in il es tra DYE
ole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Estinyl® |
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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 ethinyl estradiol or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Vaginal bleeding of an
unknown cause, a 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? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to stop or reduce the symptoms of menopause.
Especially hot flashes vaginal dryness, itching, and 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.
- It is rarely used, for the treatment of certain types of breast or
prostate cancer.
- It is also used for the treatment of hypogonadism and primary ovarian
failure.
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| How does it work? |
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- After menopause, when the body no longer produces estrogen, ethinyl is
used as a simple replacement of
estrogen.
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
- Take with food as directed by your healthcare provider. There may be
days when you will not take the
medicine.
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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) if you are
taking this medicine for menopause. May increase risk of breast cancer.
- Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 and/or smoking more
than 15 cigarettes per day are at risk for heart disease.
- This medicine does not treat depression or nervous problems.
- 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 circulation problems
or 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 if someone in
your family (sister, mother) has had breast cancer. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- There may be a higher risk of endometrial or 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.
- Swelling or bloating.
- Breast enlargement or 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.
- Follow up with healthcare provider at least every year. Talk about
duration 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.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or
bleeding between cycles.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Swelling or pain of a leg or arm, sudden shortness of breath,
difficulty breathing, or 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 tight container 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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