Conjugated Estrogen

• Treatment of
• Symptoms of estrogen deficiency in women after reaching menopause (post-menopausal
• women) – such as hot flashes (redness of skin), usually on face, neck and chest; breast pain,
• headaches, mood swings etc.
• Prevention of
• Bone thinning and bone loss which is common in estrogen deficient or post-menopausal
• women (osteoporosis). This condition will increase the risk of bone weakening and fractures.

When should one not use Conjugated Estrogen

• Allergy to Conjugated estrogens or any components used in the medicine
• History of breast cancer or the lining of uterus (endometrial cancer) or any other estrogen
• related cancers
• History of or tendency for blood clot formation e.g. in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the
• lungs (pulmonary embolism), or any other clotting disorders
• An inherited diseases that causes defective red cell production and purple patches on the skin
• (porphyria)
• Liver disease

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Cancers of the breast and ovary
• Formation of blood clots in the veins of lungs or legs
• Thickening or growths in the lining of uterus (endometriosis or cancer)
• Heart diseases, brain stroke, loss of memory
• Unexplained uterine or vaginal bleeding, irregular bleeding or spotting, pain in the pelvic region
• (below stomach), irritation and discharge from vagina, breast pain and swelling, discharge from
• nipples, feeling sick (nausea), stomach pain, mood swings, anxiety, depression, leg cramps,
• weight loss or gain, increased cholesterol, tremors, memory loss, worsening of asthma, gall
• bladder disease or irritation of the intestines causing blood in the stools (less common)
• Severe allergic reactions causing swelling of the body, face, lips and throat and swallowing and
• breathing difficulty with or without rashes, itching, skin peeling, especially in women (serious,
• but rare).

Other General Warnings

• Inform your doctor if you have a history of or develop:
• Thickness or growths in the lining of uterus (endometriosis or uterine fibroids)
• Risk or tendency of developing blood clots
• Heart, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure
• Any family history of estrogen dependent cancers
• Swelling of hands and feet, diabetes, seizures, migraine, asthma, gall bladder disease, ear
• problems, high fats or low calcium in the blood
• Inform the doctor about all the products you are using (including prescription medicines, non-
• prescription medicines, and herbal products)

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Use the following medicines with caution
• Anti-seizure medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital)
• Certain anti-infective medicines – to treat TB (rifampicin, rifabutin), HIV (nevirapine, efavirenz,
• ritonavir), antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• Metyrapone (used to treat problems of adrenal glands present on top of the kidneys),
• cimetidine (reduces stomach acids), dexamethasone (suppresses immune response) or st.john’s
• wort (a herbal preparation used for depression).

Interactions with food items

• Avoid grapefruit juice.

Overdose

Missed a Dose

• If you missed any dose take it as early as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the
• missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a higher or a double dose
• of medicine to compensate for the missed dose.
• It is advised not to miss any doses with Conjugated estrogens it may cause irregular bleeding.