Brand Name

Premarin {Pfizer}

Generic Name

conjugated estrogens, pronounced KON joo gay ted ES troe jenz

 

What is Premarin?

Premarin tablets contain conjugated estrogens, which is a mixture of estrogens obtained from natural sources to help treat the symptoms of menopause. Premarin may also be used for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, the replacement of estrogen in women with ovarian failure, or as part of a cancer treatment for both women and men.

Premarin may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Premarin

Premarin is helpful for patients experiencing symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, irritation and burning.

You should not use Premarin if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots, especially in your lungs or your lower body. People with liver disease, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or a hormone-related cancers like breast or uterine cancers are not candidates to take Premarin

Premarin is in FDA pregnancy category X. Premarin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. You should not use Premarin if you are pregnant. Because conjugated estrogens like Premarin can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby you should not breast-feed while taking Premarin.

Premarin should not be dispensed to anyone less than 18 years of age without the advice of a doctor.

Premarin should never be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because it may have the opposite affect and increase your risk of developing these conditions.

You should have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while taking Premarin.

You should avoid smoking while using Premarin.

 

Before You Take Premarin

If you are allergic to conjugated estrogens you should not take Premarin.

If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, heart disease, a bleeding or clotting disorder, high blood pressure or circulatory problems you should not take Premarin.

If you have had any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding you should not take Premarin.

Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, as this may mean that you cannot take Premarin.

Tell your doctor before starting treatment with Premarin if you have endometriosis kidney disease, asthma or hereditary angioedema.

If you have a history of migraines, epilepsy or seizures you should inform your doctor before taking Premarin.

Tell your doctor before your begin taking Premarin if you have diabetes, a thyroid disorder, high cholesterol or triglycerides, high or low levels of calcium in your blood, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, or gallbladder disease.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding you should not take Premarin.

You should be aware that Premarin can increase your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia, which is a condition that can lead to uterine cancer. If you take progestins while using Premarin you may be able to lower this risk. Talk to your doctor before starting Premarin if you are concerned about this risk.

It is important for you to know that the long-term use of Premarin can increase your risk of breast cancer, blood clot, heart attack and strokes. Discuss your current state of health and concerns with your doctor before you begin treatment with Premarin. If you are overweight or if you smoke your risk of the aforementioned condition while taking Premarin is greater.

 

Premarin Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• barbiturates like amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal, and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• diabetes medications like acarbose (Precose), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), and rosiglitazone (Avandia) and insulin
• ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
• seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Solfoton), and primidone (Mysoline)
• thyroid medication such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid and others)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Premarin. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Premarin

You should take Premarin exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Premarin in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Premarin may be prescribed for you to take on a daily basis, or in cycles, such as 3 weeks on followed by 1 week off. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking Premarin exactly.

Premarin should be taken at the same time daily, and can be taken with or without food.

You may need to have your blood tested often to be sure that Premarin is helping your condition and not harming you. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested regularly.

If you see what looks like a Premarin tablet in your stool, tell your doctor right away.

You should let any doctor or surgeon who treats you know that you are taking Premarin.

Premarin should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Premarin you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

 

Premarin Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Premarin and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• breast lump
• chest pain
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• fast heart rate or pounding heart
• headache that is sudden and severe
• hives
• jaundice or yellowing if your skin
• numbness or weakness, especially on one side of your body
• pain, swelling, or tenderness in your stomach;
• shortness of breath, even with mild exercise
• swelling in your ankles, feet or hands

Less serious side effects of Premarin may include:

• bloating
• breast pain, tenderness, or swelling
• changes in weight or appetite
• contact lenses problems
• decreased libido
• dizziness
• exhaustion
• freckles or darkening of facial skin
• headache (mild)
• increased hair growth on face
• loss of scalp hair
• menstrual period changes
• mild nausea
• nervousness
• stomach cramps
• vaginal itching or discharge
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Premarin. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Premarin Description and Dosing

Premarin is available in oral tablets which are in dosages of 0.3 milligrams, 0.45 milligrams, 0.625 milligrams, 0.9 milligrams, and 1.25 milligrams.

The 0.3 milligram tablets are oval and green.

The 0.45 milligram tablets are oval and blue.

The 0.625 milligram tablets are oval and maroon.

The 0.9 milligram tablets are oval and white.

The 1.25 milligram tablets are oval and yellow.

All people taking Premarin should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Premarin you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Premarin

The main ingredient in Premarin is conjugated estrogens. Other ingredients include calcium phosphate tribasic, carnauba wax, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, powdered cellulose, sucrose, and titanium dioxide.

0.3 milligram tablets also contain D&C Yellow No. 10 and FD&C Blue No. 2.

0.45 milligram tablets also contain FD&C Blue No. 2.

0.625 milligram tablets also contain FD&C Blue No. 2 and FD&C Red No. 40.

0.9 milligram tablets also contain D&C Red No. 30 and D&C Red No. 7.

1.25 milligram tablets also contain black iron oxide, D&C Yellow No. 10 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.

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