Prempro (Estrogen/Medroxyprogesterone)

Prempro is a hormone therapy used to treat moderate to severe menopause symptoms. It contains two hormones: conjugated estrogens, which are a mixture of estrogen hormones derived from natural sources, and medroxyprogesterone acetate, a form of progesterone. These hormones help replace those the body makes less of after menopause. Prempro may help manage hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal symptoms such as dryness or irritation. It may also help lower the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause.

Directions

Prempro is usually taken as one tablet by mouth once daily. Take the tablet at the same time each day, with or without food, and swallow the tablet whole with water. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered unless it's almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Don't take two tablets at once to make up for a missed dose.

Ingredients

The active ingredients in Prempro are conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Cautions

• Before using this medication, you may want to consult a healthcare provider about the following:
  • Any existing health conditions
  • Any allergies
  • A list of all medications currently being taken
• Prempro can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism, especially during the first year of use, and treatment should be stopped if any of these are suspected.
• The risk of these heart and blood vessel problems is higher if you smoke or have conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, or a personal or family history of blood clots.
• Using estrogen with a progestin may increase the risk of breast cancer, particularly with longer use, and regular breast exams and mammograms are important while taking this medication.
• Estrogen therapy can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus if a woman still has her uterus, which is why progestin is included to help lower this risk.
• Hormone therapy has been linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer, although the overall number of cases remains low.
• In women aged 65 and older, Prempro has been associated with an increased risk of memory problems or probable dementia.
• Estrogens can increase the risk of gallbladder disease and may lead to gallbladder surgery in some women.
• Prempro may cause changes in calcium levels, vision problems, or sudden vision loss, and the medication should be stopped if these symptoms occur.
• Estrogen therapy can worsen certain conditions such as migraines, asthma, diabetes, lupus, epilepsy, high triglycerides, liver disease, or thyroid disorders, and close monitoring may be needed.
• Serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, have been reported, and Prempro should not be used again if this happens.

Contraindications

Avoid taking or using this medication if any of the following apply:

• Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
• Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer
• Known or suspected estrogen-dependent cancer
• Active deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or a history of these conditions
• Active arterial thromboembolic disease, such as stroke or heart attack, or a history of these conditions
• Liver dysfunction or disease
• Known hypersensitivity to estrogens, progestins, or any ingredients in the product
• Known or suspected pregnancy

Side Effects

Common side effects of Prempro include:

• Headache
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Stomach or abdominal cramps, bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fluid retention
• Vaginal yeast infection

Headache, breast tenderness, and nausea are most noticeable when starting treatment or after a dose change. Irregular bleeding or spotting can occur, especially during the first months of use. Many symptoms improve as your body adjusts.

More serious side effects include heart attack, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, cancers of the uterus or ovary, gallbladder disease, liver problems, severe allergic reactions, and changes in blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Contact a healthcare provider if you notice chest pain, sudden headaches, vision or speech changes, leg pain or swelling, or unusual vaginal bleeding.