Product Description
Premarin increases the chances of getting cancer of the uterus. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while using Premarin. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your health care provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause. Do not use Premarin with or without progestins (eg, medroxyprogesterone) to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older. You and your health care provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Premarin.
Premarin is used for:
Treating certain symptoms of menopause (eg, hot flashes, vaginal dryness or itching). It is used to prevent osteoporosis (weak bones) after menopause in certain patients. It is used in certain patients to treat low estrogen levels, breast cancer or prostate cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Premarin is a mixture of female estrogen hormones. It works by replacing natural estrogens in a woman who can no longer produce enough estrogen. It works for advanced prostate cancer by antagonizing male hormones.
Do NOT use Premarin if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Premarin
• you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant
• you have known, suspected, or a history of breast cancer (unless directed by your doctor) or other cancers that are estrogen-dependent
• you have abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
• you have impaired liver function or liver disease, or the blood disease porphyria
• you have recently (within the last year) had a stroke or heart attack
• you have blood clots or circulation disorders
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Premarin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Premarin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have an abnormal mammogram
• if you have asthma (wheezing), a benign breast nodule, bone cancer, depression, diabetes, endometriosis or endometrial (uterine) cancer, epilepsy (seizures), gallbladder disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems or a history of yellowing of the skin or eyes, lupus, migraines, obesity, pancreatitis, uterine fibroids, thyroid problems or have high calcium levels in your blood
• if you use tobacco, you are going to have surgery, or you will be on bed rest
• if you have a family history of high cholesterol, lipid, calcium, or triglyceride levels; or breast cancer
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Premarin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) and rifampin because they may decrease Premarin's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Premarin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Premarin:
Use Premarin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• An extra patient leaflet is available with Premarin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Premarin by mouth with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
• Taking Premarin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Discuss with your doctor stopping Premarin 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
• If you miss a dose of Premarin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Premarin.
Important safety information:
• Premarin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Premarin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Smoking while taking Premarin may increase your risk of blood clots (especially in women older than 35 years of age).
• Before using Premarin, you will need to have a complete medical and family history exam, which will include blood pressure, breast, stomach, and pelvic organ exams and a Pap smear.
• You should have periodic mammograms as determined by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately.
• Your doctor should reevaluate you every 3 to 6 months to determine whether or not you need to continue taking Premarin.
• If you are only being treated for vaginal menopause symptoms, products applied locally such as vaginal creams, tablets, or rings should be considered before products taken by mouth or absorbed through the skin. If you have other medical conditions and are prescribed estrogens for more than one condition, consult your doctor about your treatment plan and its options.
• Non-drug therapy to help prevent bone loss includes a weight-bearing exercise plan, as well as adequate daily calcium and vitamin D intake. Consult your doctor of pharmacist for more details.
• Diabetes patients - Premarin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Premarin may cause dark skin patches on your face (melasma). Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker, and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding the use of sunscreens and protective clothing.
• If you wear contact lenses and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor.
• If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (eg, a long plane flight), notify your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in these circumstances while you are taking Premarin.
• Premarin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Premarin.
• Lab tests, including a lipid profile, may be performed while you use Premarin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Premarin with caution in CHILDREN; they may need regular growth checks while they take Premarin.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Premarin if you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Premarin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Premarin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Premarin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
• Breast pain or tenderness; gas; headache; hair loss; mild nausea or vomiting; spotting or breakthrough bleeding; stomach cramps or bloating.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal bleeding from the vagina; breast lumps; calf pain, swelling, or tenderness; changes in vision or speech; chest pain; dizziness; fainting; mental or mood changes; pain in the calves; pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen; severe headache; slurred speech; sudden shortness of breath; swelling of the hands or feet; unusual vaginal discharge/itching/odor; vision changes; vomiting; weakness or numbness of an arm or leg; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.
Proper storage of Premarin:
Store Premarin at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Premarin out of the reach of children and away from pets.