Pronunciation: KON-joo-gay-ted ES-troe-jenz
Generic Name: Conjugated Estrogens
Brand Name: Premarin
Premarin should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Estrogens may increase the risk of heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, dementia, serious blood clots (eg, in the lungs or legs), cancer of the uterus, and breast cancer in some women. Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual vaginal bleeding while you use Premarin. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the benefits and risks of using Premarin.
Premarin should be used for the shortest possible time at the lowest effective dose to minimize the risk of these side effects. Talk with your doctor regularly about your need to use 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 and prostate cancer and breast 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 women who no longer produce enough estrogen. It works for advanced prostate cancer by blocking male hormones.
Do NOT use Premarin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Premarin
- you have had a severe reaction (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; hoarseness) after taking Premarin
- you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant
- you have known or suspected breast cancer or another estrogen-dependent cancer, or you have a history of breast cancer
- you have a history of liver problems or liver disease
- you have abnormal vaginal bleeding of an unknown cause
- you have active blood clots (eg, of the legs or lungs), a risk of developing blood clots, or a history of blood clots
- you have had a stroke or heart attack
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, foods, or other substances
- if you have a condition called hereditary angioedema
- if you have a history of breast lumps, breast disease, or an abnormal mammogram, or if a member of your family has had breast cancer
- if you have a vaginal infection or a history of uterus problems (eg fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, cancer), or you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy)
- if you have a history of asthma, depression, diabetes, seizures, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, heart problems, high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels, high blood calcium levels, high blood pressure, low blood levels of parathyroid hormone, or porphyria
- if you have a history of kidney or liver problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes, cancer, lupus, migraines, or thyroid problems
- if you smoke, use tobacco, are very overweight, will be having surgery, or will be confined to a bed or chair for a period of time
- if a member of your family has had high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, blood clots (eg, in the leg or lung), or lupus, or has been very overweight
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) or rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because they may decrease Premarin's effectiveness
- Thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Premarin
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 or without food.
- Taking Premarin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- 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:
- Smoking while taking Premarin may increase your risk of blood clots (especially in women older than 35 years old).
- 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 or 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 at least 4 to 6 weeks beforehand. You may need to stop taking Premarin or take other special precautions for a period of time.
- If you notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool, contact your doctor.
- Premarin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Premarin.
- Lab tests, including physical exams, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Premarin. You should have breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least once a year. You should also have periodic mammograms as determined by your doctor. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts. Report any lumps immediately.
- Talk with your doctor regularly (eg, every 3 to 6 months) about whether you need to continue taking Premarin.
- Use Premarin with caution in ELDERLY women; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Use Premarin with caution in CHILDREN; they may need regular growth and/or development checks while they use 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; hair loss; headache; leg cramps; mild fluid retention; mild nausea or vomiting; nervousness; spotting or breakthrough bleeding; stomach cramps or bloating; weakness.
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; unusual hoarseness); abnormal vaginal bleeding; breast lumps or pain; calf pain, swelling, or tenderness; chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; fainting; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); migraine headache; new or worsening memory problems; one-sided weakness; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent stomach pain or tenderness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden, severe, or persistent vomiting; swelling of the hands or feet; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); unusual vaginal discharge/itching/odor; vision loss or other vision changes; vomiting; weakness or numbness of an arm or leg.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Premarin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding; breast tenderness; drowsiness or fatigue; nausea and vomiting; stomach pain.
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.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Premarin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Premarin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Premarin. Additionally, your doctor may have prescribed Premarin for a use not mentioned above. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Premarin resources
- Premarin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Premarin Dosage
- Premarin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Premarin Drug Interactions
- Premarin Support Group
- 14 Reviews for Premarin - Add your own review/rating
Compare Premarin with other medications
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Atrophic Urethritis
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Breast Cancer, Palliative
- Hypoestrogenism
- Oophorectomy
- Osteoporosis
- Postmenopausal Symptoms
- Primary Ovarian Failure
- Prostate Cancer
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