Premarin Vaginal

Premarin Vaginal

Generic Name: conjugated estrogens (vaginal) (KON joo gay ted ES troe jenz)

Brand names: Premarin Vaginal, Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A, Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A

What is Premarin Vaginal?

Premarin Vaginal contains a mixture of estrogen hormones Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body.

Premarin Vaginal is used to treat the vaginal symptoms of menopause such as dryness, burning, irritation, and painful sexual intercourse.

Premarin Vaginal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Premarin Vaginal

Premarin Vaginal can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Premarin Vaginal if you are pregnant. Do not use Premarin Vaginal if you have any of the following conditions: a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot (especially in your lung or your lower body), liver disease, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer.

Long-term treatment with conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using Premarin Vaginal long term, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.

Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using Premarin Vaginal.

Before using Premarin Vaginal

Do not use Premarin Vaginal if you are pregnant, or if you have:

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot (especially in your lung or your lower body);

abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked;

liver disease; or

any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer.

Before using Premarin Vaginal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

high blood pressure, heart disease, or circulation problems;

a personal or family history of stroke;

endometriosis;

liver or kidney disease;

asthma;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

migraines;

diabetes;

underactive thyroid;

high cholesterol or triglycerides;

high or low levels of calcium in your blood;

porphyria;

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);

gallbladder disease; or

if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy).

Premarin Vaginal increase your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that may lead to cancer of the uterus. Taking progestins while using conjugated estrogens may lower this risk. If your uterus has not been removed, your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take while you are using Premarin Vaginal.

Long-term conjugated estrogens treatment may increase your risk of stroke or blood clots. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using Premarin Vaginal long term, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.

FDA pregnancy category X. Premarin can cause birth defects. Do not use Premarin Vaginal if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using Premarin Vaginal. You should know that Premarin Vaginal cream can weaken the latex of a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap. Talk to your doctor about the best contraceptive methods to use. Conjugated estrogens can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Premarin Vaginal may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use Premarin Vaginal in anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

See also: Premarin Vaginal pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Premarin Vaginal?

Use Premarin Vaginal exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Premarin Vaginal is usually prescribed for only a short time and are most often used in a cycle, such as 3 weeks on followed by 1 week off. Some conditions require daily use and others require use only twice a week during the treatment period. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

To apply Premarin Vaginal, use only the vaginal applicator provided. After each use, take the applicator apart and clean it with mild soap and warm water. Do not use hot or boiling water.

Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis if you are using Premarin Vaginal long term.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using . You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Premarin Vaginal can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Premarin Vaginal.

Store Premarin Vaginal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use your medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while using Premarin Vaginal?

Do not smoke while using Premarin Vaginal. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by Premarin Vaginal.

Premarin Vaginal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Premarin Vaginal: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Premarin Vaginal and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

pain or swelling in your lower leg;

abnormal vaginal bleeding;

migraine headache;

pain, swelling, or tenderness in your stomach;

confusion, problems with memory or concentration;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or

a breast lump.

Less serious Premarin Vaginal side effects may include:

mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;

breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;

freckles or darkening of facial skin;

increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;

changes in weight or appetite;

problems with contact lenses;

vaginal itching or discharge;

changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or

headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Premarin Vaginal side effects (in more detail)

Premarin Vaginal Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose of Premarin Vaginal for Atrophic Vaginitis:

Treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis and Kraurosis Vulvae:

Premarin Vaginal: cyclic administration of 0.5 to 2 g intravaginally (daily for 21 days then off for 7 days).

Usual Adult Dose for Postmenopausal Symptoms:

Treatment of Moderate to Severe Dyspareunia, a Symptom of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy, due to Menopause:

Premarin Vaginal: Twice-weekly administration of 0.5 g intravaginally, for example, Monday and Thursday.

What other drugs will affect Premarin Vaginal?

Before using Premarin Vaginal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

a thyroid medication such as levothyroxine (Synthroid);

insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth;

rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);

seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or primidone (Mysoline);

a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Premarin Vaginal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Premarin Vaginal resources

Premarin Vaginal Side Effects (in More Detail)

Premarin Vaginal Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Premarin Vaginal Drug Interactions

Premarin Vaginal Support Group

0 Reviews for Premarin Vaginal - Add your own review/rating

Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A Cream MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Premarin Vaginal with other medications

Atrophic Urethritis

Atrophic Vaginitis

Postmenopausal Symptoms

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Premarin Vaginal.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.03. Revision Date: 09/02/2009 12:39:51 PM.