Premarin
® (
conjugated estrogens) is a prescription medication that contains a mixture of natural estrogen hormones. It is approved for a number of uses, such as:
- Treating menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness
- Preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- Replacing hormones in younger women whose ovaries do not produce enough estrogen
- Reducing the symptoms of certain cancers (in both men and women) that have spread throughout the body.
It is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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 main source of estrogen is produced by the ovaries, and the main type of estrogen produced is known as estradiol. After menopause, the main source of estrogen is 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.
Premarin is a mixture of natural equine (horse) estrogens. It helps to relieve menopausal symptoms by replacing the estrogen that the ovaries no longer produce. Because estrogen helps to keep the bones strong, the decrease in estrogen during menopause causes a significant weakening of the bones, often resulting in osteoporosis. By providing estrogen, Premarin can help prevent these menopause-related bone changes.
Very high doses of Premarin can work to relieve the symptoms of certain cancers, including breast and
prostate cancer. For prostate cancer, high doses of the estrogens in Premarin work by suppressing testosterone and other male hormones that "feed" prostate cancer. It is not entirely clear how high doses of Premarin work for
breast cancer, as estrogen usually stimulates breast cancer cell growth. Premarin will not cure these types of cancers and should only be used to relieve symptoms when other treatments have failed to treat the cancer adequately.
When and How to Use Premarin
Some general considerations for when and how to use the medication include the following:
- Premarin comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once a day.
- It can be taken continuously (every single day, with no breaks) or cyclically (with periodic breaks every once in a while). Your healthcare provider will help you decide which way is best for you.
- You can take it with food or on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- It does not matter what time of day you take it, although it is best to take it at the same time each day.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Premarin your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- How you respond to Premarin
- 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, Premarin 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 Premarin include, but are not limited to:
(Click Premarin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Premarin
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using this medication if you have:
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.
Premarin 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 (such as Prempro® or Premphase®)
- Natural remedies, including herbal supplements and "bioidentical" hormone replacement.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Premarin may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vaginal bleeding (in females).
Premarin tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Premarin tablets should be stored in an airtight container. Keep Premarin and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What If I Miss a Dose of Premarin?
If you do not take your dose 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 Premarin.
Premarin tablets come in the following strengths:
- Premarin 0.3 mg
- Premarin 0.45 mg
- Premarin 0.625 mg
- Premarin 0.9 mg
- Premarin 1.25 mg.
At this time, there are no generic versions of Premarin licensed for sale
(see Generic Premarin for more information).
