Enjuvia
® (
conjugated estrogens) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. It contains a mixture of 10 different synthetic (manufactured) estrogen hormones. It is approved for treating menopausal symptoms, such as
hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
(Click Enjuvia Uses for more information on what Enjuvia is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Enjuvia is made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Enjuvia is a mixture of 10 different synthetic (manufactured) estrogens. Unlike many other estrogen products, it does not contain any hormones produced by horses. It helps to relieve menopausal symptoms by replacing the estrogen that the ovaries no longer produce.
During and after
menopause, women experience a drop in estrogen levels, as well as a shift in the balance of estrogens that the body produces. Before menopause, the ovaries produce the main source of estrogen, and the main type of estrogen produced is known as estradiol. After menopause, the main source of estrogen is the hormone androstenedione, which is produced by the adrenal gland and is converted into an estrogen known as estrone. Menopausal symptoms and changes result from both the decrease in estrogen and the shift from estradiol to estrone.
When and How to Use Enjuvia
Some general considerations for when and how to use Enjuvia include the following:
- Enjuvia comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once daily.
- It does not matter what time of day you take Enjuvia, although it is best to take it at the same time each day.
- You can take Enjuvia with food or on an empty stomach. If Enjuvia bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
Enjuvia Dosing Information
The dose of Enjuvia your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to Enjuvia
- Your specific menopause symptoms
- Whether you have had a hysterectomy
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, Enjuvia can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Enjuvia include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Breast pain
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain).
(Click Enjuvia Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Enjuvia
Enjuvia: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using Enjuvia if you have:
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Cancer (or if you have had cancer in the past)
- Heart disease or heart problems of any kind
- Had a heart attack or stroke
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Had a blood clot
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes
- Gallbladder disease
- Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver tumors
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Had yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice) during a prior pregnancy or estrogen use
- High cholesterol
- Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia)
- Endometriosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to drugs, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Enjuvia is not the only available method of relieving menopausal symptoms. Other options include:
- Coping strategies (such as wearing lighter clothes for hot flashes or using a vaginal lubricant for dryness)
- Other medications, such as other estrogens or combinations of estrogens with progestins
- Natural remedies, including herbal supplements and "bioidentical" hormone replacement.
What If I Take an Enjuvia Overdose?
People who take too much Enjuvia may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vaginal bleeding.
Enjuvia tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Enjuvia tablets should be stored in an airtight container. Keep Enjuvia and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What If I Miss a Dose of Enjuvia?
If you do not take your Enjuvia as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double your dose of Enjuvia.
Enjuvia tablets come in the following strengths:
- Enjuvia 0.3 mg
- Enjuvia 0.45 mg
- Enjuvia 0.625 mg
- Enjuvia 0.9 mg
- Enjuvia 1.25 mg.
At this time, there are no generic versions of Enjuvia licensed for sale
(see Generic Enjuvia for more information).
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