Premarin (Conjugated Estrogens)

What is Premarin?

Premarin is a mixture of conjugate estrogens that are used to treat symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritation and burning sensation. Estrogens are female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.

What is Premarin used for?

Premarin is used to treat cancer (in both women and men). It is also used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The drug helps in the replacement of estrogen in women with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a decrease in the production of natural estrogen in the body.

How does Premarin work?

Premarin replaces estrogen in women who can no longer produce natural estrogen. During menopause, all women experience a decrease in estrogen. This causes a significant weakening of the bones and often results in osteoporosis. Premarin provides estrogen to the body and helps in preventing these menopause-related bone changes.

How to use Premarin

Premarin should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

The drug is usually taken with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Get your blood tested on a regular basis and self-examine your breasts for lumps while using Premarin.

Premarin warnings and precautions

Do not smoke while using the medicine. It can enhance the risk of stroke or heart attack. Do not use Premarin if you have a liver or kidney disease, or abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor. Also avoid taking the medicine if you have a history of heart attack, stroke or blood clot, or if you have had your uterus removed.

Prior to taking Premarin, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, endometriosis, asthma, epilepsy, migraines, underactive thyroid, diabetes, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease or porphyria.

Pregnant and lactating women should not use the drug.

What do I do if I have missed a Premarin dose?

If you have missed your Premarin dose you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Premarin overdose?

If you have taken a Premarin overdose you should seek medical attention.

Premarin interactions

Before taking premarin, consult your doctor if you are taking drugs like warfarin (blood thinner), levothyroxine (thyroid medication), rifampin, insulin or diabetes medicine taken orally, ketoconazole or itraconazole. Such drugs can interact with Premarin. Other medicines that may interact with Premarin include seizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), felbamate (Felbatol),  or oxcarbazepine (Trileptal); barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or antidepressants such as amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

Premarin side effects

Premarin side effects include breathing difficulty; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using premarin, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor.

Chest pain (spreading to the arm or shoulder), nausea, sweating, numbness and weakness on one side of the body, migraine headache, pain or swelling in lower leg or stomach, memory or concentration problem, jaundice, abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast lump are also side effects from Premarin.

Mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, breast pain, increase in hair growth or loss of scalp hair, change in menstrual period, vaginal itching, changes in weight or appetite, headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling, freckles or darkening of facial skin are some less serious side effects of Premarin.