Sunday, December 4, 2016

FDA-Approved Hormone Therapy Medications for Menopause Symptoms

Menopause (sometimes called “the change of life”) is a normal time in a woman’s life when her period stops. During menopause, a woman’s body makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Lower hormone levels may lead to symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness along with thin bones.

Some women choose to treat their menopause symptoms with hormone medicines sometimes called Hormone Therapy. This booklet lists some basic information about the FDA-approved hormone medicines for menopause. Use this booklet to help you talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone medicines are right for you.

Do not take hormone therapy if you:

ü  have problems with vaginal bleeding
ü  have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
ü  have or have had a blood clot, stroke or heart attack
ü  have a bleeding disorder
ü  have liver disease
ü  have allergic reactions to hormone medicine



Menopause Hormone Therapy

There are different kinds of hormone medicines used during and after menopause:

ü  Estrogen-Only Medicines
ü  Progestin-Only Medicines (These medicines are taken along with Estrogen Medicines.)
ü  Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines
ü  Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines

Side Effects

Hormone medicines have side effects. Serious health problems can happen in women who take menopause hormone therapy.

ü  For some women, hormone medicines may raise their chances of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer.
ü  For some women who are 65 years old or older, hormone medicines may raise their chances of dementia.
ü  For women who still have their uterus, taking estrogen-only medicines raises their chance of getting cancer of the lining of the uterus or endometrial cancer. These women need to take progestin to prevent endometrial cancer.

Estrogen-Only Medicines

Brand Name
Generic Name
Alora
Estradiol
Cenestin
Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens
Climara
Estradiol
Delestrogen
Estradiol Valerate
Divigel
Estradiol
Elestrin
Estradiol
Enjuvia
Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens
Esclim
Estradiol
Estrace
Estradiol
Estraderm
Estradiol
Estrasorb
Estradiol
Estring
Estradiol
EstroGel
Estradiol
Evamist
Estradiol
Femring
Estradiol Acetate
Femtrace
Estradiol Acetate
Menest
Esterified Estrogen
Menostar
(only used to prevent osteoporosis)
Estradiol
Minivelle
Estradiol
Ogen
Estropipate
Ortho-Est
Estropipate
Premarin
Conjugated Estrogens
Vagifem
Estradiol
Vivelle
Estradiol
Vivelle-Dot
Estradiol

Estrogen-Only Medicines Precautions and Side Effects

Do not use if you:
·         have unusual vaginal bleeding
·         have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
·         have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
·         have a bleeding disorder
·         have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·         have liver problems
·         have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
·         think you are pregnant

Serious Side Effects:
·         Stroke or blood clots
·         Endometrial Cancer in women who still have their uterus and who do not use progestin with estrogen-only medicines
·         Dementia in women 65 years and older
·         Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·         Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
·         Liver Problems
·         High Blood Pressure
·         Severe allergic reactions

Less Serious, Common Side Effects
·         Headaches
·         Painful or tender breasts
·         Vaginal spotting
·         Stomach cramps/ Bloating  
·         Nausea and vomiting
·         Hair loss
·         Fluid retention 
·         Vaginal yeast infection



Progestin-Only Medicines

Brand Name
Generic Name
Prometrium
Micronized Progesterone
Provera
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Progestin-Only Medicines Use

·         Women who still have their uterus should also take an Estrogen-Only medicine to lower the chance of getting endometrial cancer.



Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines

Brand Name
Generic Name
Activella
Estradiol/
Norethindrone Acetate
Angeliq
Estradiol/ Drospirenone
Climara Pro
Estradiol/
Levonorgestrel
Combipatch
Estradiol/
Norethindrone Acetate
Femhrt
Norethindrone Acetate/
Ethinyl Estradiol
Prefest
Estradiol/
Norgestimate
Prempro
Conjugated Estrogen/
Medroxyprogesterone

Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines Precautions and Side Effects

Do not use if you:
·         have unusual vaginal bleeding
·         have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
·         have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·         have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
·         have a bleeding disorder
·         have liver problems
·         have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
·         think you are pregnant

Serious Side Effects:
·         Heart attack or stroke
·         Blood clots
·         Breast Cancer
·         Dementia in women 65 years and older
·         Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·         Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
·         Liver problems
·         High blood pressure
·         Severe allergic reactions

Less Serious, Common Side Effects:
·         Headaches
·         Painful or tender breasts
·         Vaginal spotting
·         Stomach cramps/ Bloating
·         Nausea and vomiting
·         Hair loss
·         Fluid retention
·         Vaginal yeast infection



Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines

Brand Name
Generic Name
Duavee
Conjugated Estrogen/ Bazedoxifene

Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines Precautions and Side Effects

You should not use Duavee if you are taking medicines that have estrogen, progestin or both hormones.

Do not use if you:
·         have unusual vaginal bleeding
·         have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
·         have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·         have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
·         have a bleeding disorder
·         have liver problems
·         have had a serious allergic reaction to estrogen medicines
·         think you are pregnant or may become pregnant
·         are breastfeeding (nursing)

Serious Side Effects:
·         Stroke or blood clots
·         Dementia in women 65 years and older
·         Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·         Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
·         Liver problems
·         High blood pressure
·         Severe allergic reactions

Less Serious, Common Side Effects:
·         Muscle Spasms
·         Nausea
·         Diarrhea
·         Upset stomach/ Stomach pain
·         Throat pain
·         Dizziness
·         Neck Pain






Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...