Premarin (conjugated estorgen)

Premarin Description

Premarin drug is primarily comprised of estrogen hormone for women. It is administered on women of menopausal age who fail to produce the adequate hormonal level. The main purpose is to relieve the unpleasant symptoms that are associated with menopause.

Premarin is available in oral and topical form and is being manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals that has become part of the Pfizer group since early 2009. The drug has been marketed however since 1942.

Conditions Treated by Premarin

Premarin is basically a hormone replacement therapy. It is used in menopausal women who are facing unpleasant symptoms such as excessive heat or hot flashes and chills. Other conditions that are treated included vaginal dryness or itching due to menopause, abnormal uterine bleeding (spotting) and even osteoporosis. Generally however if the symptom is localized then other forms of Premarin that have to be directly applied vaginally are recommended. Oral pills are prescribed when there are several conditions, including non-topical that need to be tackled. Premarin is also used for treating vaginal atrophy in which muscled of the vagina are weakened. The main purpose is to replace the estrogen hormone when the body can no longer produce it.

Premarin Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

The standard dosage for this drug could generally range from 0.3 mg to 1.25 mg daily, variable upon the condition. Also other factors such as body weight, medical conditions, past history etc might impact on the recommended dose. Ideally the dosage is started at the lowest possible level for a minimal time frame. There are even different ways of taking the pills such as daily or in a cycle of 25 days a moth followed by a gap of five days. It is best for the doctor and the patient to mutually decide upon the type of dosage. Those women who have had a hysterectomy (or uterus removal) a combination dose of estrogen i.e. Premarin along with progestogen may be suggested. Whatever the condition, the patient must strictly follow the plan provided by the doctor. Things like appropriate disposal of the expired drug also need to be clarified with the pharmacist or doctor.

b.) Missing A Dose

The dosage is very important when it comes to Premarin as it is a hormonal drug. If the patient misses a dose then it is best advised to take the missed dose whenever possible. All the same if it is time for the next dose then the patient can directly take the next dose.

c.) Overdosing

Usually the patient must never alter the dosage in any format. If there is an over dosage then immediate help should be taken. Some signs of over dosing could be vomiting, nausea and vaginal bleeding.

Premarin Warnings

There are some warnings related to estrogen in general, which may not all apply to Premarin in specific. Hence the best advice for patient is to watch out for prolonged side effects and communicate to the doctor on a regular basis. Estrogen is known to increase the risk for endometrial cancer as well as breast cancer. It can also create higher risks associated with cardiovascular disorders. Therefore if dietary modifications are advised they must be adhered to.

Premarin Side Effects

Premarin is a high potent drug that should never be taken without proper medical consultation. Like any drug, Premarin also has some side effects, which however can be managed. A side effect is simply an unwanted response to a drug. If there are any excessively unpleasant side effects that seeking medical advise is a must. Note that there are several side effects associated with Premarin. The following is a list of side effects that are minor and which will be minimized as the patient’s body gets used to the drug:

• cramps in lower abdomen
• diarrhea (mild only)
• headaches or migraine
• dizziness (mild)
• bloating
• loss of hunger
• libido changes
• darkening of the skin
• nausea
• problems for those wearing contact lenses
• vomiting (usually with high doses)

Apart from the above there are some major side effects. If the patient suffers from any of the following then she must immediately contact the doctor:

• swelling of feet or lower part of the legs
• severe pain or numbness in legs
• unexpected vision change
• any changes in the breasts
• vaginal bleeding (spotting, prolonged or unwarranted heavy bleeding, or absolute stoppage of bleeding
• first ever migraines
• sudden dizziness, shortness of breath
• tightness of the chest
• weight gain (rapid/unexpected)
• jaundice-like symptoms eg: yellowing of eyes or skin

In case of any other unusual symptom also the doctor should be advised. Communicating with the doctor is always highly recommended as the most appropriate advice can then be given.

Possible Premarin Drug Interactions

There is bound to be an interaction of one drug with the other when both are consumed simultaneously. However this does not mean that a patient cannot take multiple drugs. The key point is proper management of the drugs and their respective dosages.

Premarin can have severe adverse reactions with anastrozole and exemest hence they are never prescribed together. Following is a list of medications that will affect the way Premarin or estrogen will work and even increase risk of side effects:

• Phenobarbital
• Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Meprobamate
• Phenylbutazone
• Dilantin (phenytoin)
• Norvir (ritonavir)
• Rifadin (rifampin)
• St. John's Wort
• Topamax (topirimate)

On the other hand there are some drugs that may be affected by Premarin:

antidiabetic drugs such as insulin

• Inderal (propranolol) or other blood pressure-lowering agents
• corticosteroids

Doctors will usually known how to manage the different doses to eliminate any adverse drug interactions. Hence patient must communicate clearly with the doctor.

If you have any questions about buying discount Premarin online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.