Brand Name

Ogen {Pfizer}

Generic Name

estropipate, pronounced ES-troe-PIP-ate

What is Ogen?

Ogen is a crystalline form of estrone. This is the form of estrogen that is most commonly circulating in women after menopause. Ogen is used to treat symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, vaginal dryness and vaginal irritation. You may also be prescribed Ogen to help prevent osteoporosis if you are a postmenopausal woman, or to replace estrogen if you are a woman with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen in your body. Ogen may also be helpful in cases of excessive and painful uterine bleeding.

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

Key Facts About Ogen

PREGNANCY: Ogen should not be used if you suspect you may be pregnant. Ogen can harm your unborn baby and may cause birth defects. You should not use Ogen if you are pregnant, and you must tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment with this medication.

BREASTFEEDING: We know that Ogen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby, and it may also slow your breast milk production. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Ogen.

Ogen should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because it may increase your risk of developing these conditions. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your risk for developing any of these conditions.

Taking Ogen, or any hormones, may increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or a heart attack, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, if you are overweight or if you smoke. Your doctor may evaluate your condition every 3-6 months to determine if Ogen is still the best treatment for you.

Ogen can increase your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia (growth/thickening of the uterine lining), a condition that may increase the risk of cancer of your uterus. However, it is possible that taking progestin while also taking Ogen may lower your risk of uterine cancer. If you have not had your uterus removed your doctor may prescribe progestin for you to take while you are being treated with Ogen. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your risk for uterine cancer.

Before You Take Ogen

If you are allergic to estropipate you should not use Ogen.

If you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, a history of stroke or circulation problems, abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked or any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer you should not take Ogen.

If you have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, angina, high cholesterol or triglycerides, asthma or diabetes you should talk to your doctor before taking Ogen.

Do not use Ogen if you have epilepsy, a seizure disorder, depression, migraines or gallbladder disease without talking to your doctor first.

Tell your doctor if you kidney or liver disease before using Ogen.

Tell your doctor before starting treatment with Ogen if you have had a hysterectomy and your uterus has been removed.

Ogen Drug Interactions

Estrgens, including Ogen can inhibit the breakdown of certain medications in your body. This may result in increased amounts of these medications circulating in your body and you may be more likely to experience their adverse effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication or change your medications to avoid these combinations.

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

• Cyclosporine,
• Certain medications reduce the amount of estrogen in the body by increasing the speed the estrogens are broken down in the liveer. These medications may reduce the effectiveness of Ogen.
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)phenytoin (Dilantin)
• antifungal medications, like ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal)
• carbamazapine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• Blood thinning medication like warfarin (Coumadin) may need to be monitored more closely while using Ogen. Ogen can increase the body’s natural production of clotting facts and reduce the expected effect of warfarin. This is especially important when starting or stopping either of the medications.

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Ogen. 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 Using Ogen

Use Ogen exactly as your doctor has prescribed you to. Do not use it in larger or smaller amounts or for shorter or longer than recommended. Ogen comes with patient instructions for so you can use this medication safely and effectively. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully.

You should take Ogen with a full (8 oz.) glass of water.

If you are concerned about having an upset stomach you can take Ogen with a meal or food.

You should have regular physical exams and mammograms, and self-examine your breasts for lumps each month while using Ogen. Your doctor should check your progress every 3 to 6 months to evaluate whether you should continue taking Ogen.

If you need medical tests or surgery, or if you will need to be on bed rest, you may need to stop using Ogen for a short period of time. Be sure to tell any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are being treated with Ogen.

You should not smoke while you take Ogen, as it will increase your risk of developing blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack.

If you miss a dose of Ogen you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose you should skip the dose you missed.

Ogen needs to be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture.

Ogen Side Effects

Contact your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• breast lump
• chest pain or a heavy feeling with pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating and a general ill feeling
• headache that is severe or sudden with confusion, problems with vision, speech or balance
• jaundice or a yellowing of your skin or eyes
• numbness and weakness that is sudden, or on one side of your body
• pain and swelling and tenderness in your stomach
• swelling in your hands, ankles, feet or legs, along with warmth and redness
• vaginal bleeding that is unusual, especially if you are past menopause

Less serious side Ogen effects may include

• appetite loss
• breast pain, tenderness and swelling
• darkening of facial skin with or without acne
• decreased sex drive
• depression
• dizziness
• menstrual cycle changes, break-through bleeding
• migraine headaches
• nausea
• swelling of your ankles and feet
• vaginal dryness, pain or discomfort
• vomiting

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

Ogen Description and Dosing

Ogen is available in tablet form in the following dosages:

Ogen .625 mg, which are yellow tablets

Ogen 1.25 mg, which are peach tablets.

Ogen 2.5 mg, which are blue tablets.

You should take Ogen exactly as your doctor has directed you to. Do not change your dose of Ogen or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor first.

If you believe that you have overdosed with Ogen you should seek medical help immediately.

Ingredients in Ogen

Ogen contains estropipate as the active ingredient. Inactive ingredients colloidal silicon dioxide, dibasic potassium phosphate, hydrogenated vegetable oil wax, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate and tromethamine. The color (dye) ingredients are OGEN .625 (yellow tablet): D&C Yellow No. 10 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.; OGEN 1.25 (peach tablet): FD&C Yellow No. 6.; OGEN 2.5 (blue tablet): FD&C Blue No. 2.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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