Estratest is a prescription drug used to treat hot flashes and night sweats. This eMedTV Web page further describes what Estratest is used for, explains how and when to take the medicine, and lists side effects that may occur with treatment.
A few potential Estratest side effects include acne, hair loss, and fluid retention. This article from the eMedTV library also lists potentially serious side effects of Estratest that require immediate medical attention, such as chest pain or vision loss.
Estratest is used for treating menopause symptoms in women who do not respond to estrogen alone. This page on the eMedTV Web site discusses Estratest uses in more detail and explores possible off-label uses for the medication.
The usual recommended Estratest dosage is one regular or one or two "half-strength" tablets once daily. This eMedTV article offers more in-depth Estratest dosing guidelines and includes a list of precautions and tips on taking the medicine.
A number of medicines may interact with Estratest, including insulin, warfarin, and cyclosporine. As this eMedTV resource explains, Estratest drug interactions can increase your risk for side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
Before using Estratest, be sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease. This eMedTV page lists other conditions you must tell your doctor about before starting Estratest. Warnings and precautions on who should not use the drug are also included.
An overdose of Estratest can cause nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding (in girls). This segment of the eMedTV library explores the other potential effects of an Estratest overdose and explains whether an overdose is likely to be dangerous.
Taking Estratest during pregnancy can cause serious problems for the fetus. This page from the eMedTV archives includes more information on Estratest and pregnancy, and describes the problems that may occur if a pregnant woman uses the drug.
It may not be safe for breastfeeding women to use Estratest. This eMedTV article offers more information on Estratest and breastfeeding, and explains the effects that the estrogen and testosterone hormones in the drug may have on nursing infants.
It is impossible to determine if any medication (generic or not) is equivalent to Estratest. This eMedTV page further explores whether generic Estratest exists and explains why it is difficult to determine if other drugs are equivalent to Estratest.
There are many alternatives to Estratest for treating menopause symptoms, including other drugs. This eMedTV segment describes various Estratest alternatives and briefly discusses the safety and effectiveness of these methods.
