Consumer Medicine Information
Premarin®
Conjugated oestrogens Tablets
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions about Premarin Tablets. It does not contain all of the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Premarin against the benefits they expect it will provide.
If you have any concerns about using Premarin, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Premarin is used for
Premarin is a type of treatment called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and contains the hormones called conjugated oestrogens.
Premarin helps to relieve the discomfort many women feel during and after the menopause. It also helps to prevent thinning of the bones, which can cause fractures.
Premarin is also used in the treatment of female hypogonadism, where either the ovary does not function properly or has been removed.
If your doctor thinks you will need to take HRT for a long time, your doctor will have considered the benefits and risks of other treatments before prescribing Premarin for you.
How it works
Conjugated oestrogens are a mixture of natural female sex hormones. They are like the hormones that your ovaries were producing before menopause.
The menopause occurs naturally in women usually between the ages of 45 and 55. During menopause, your body produces less oestrogen than it did before. This can cause unpleasant symptoms such as a feeling of warmth in the face, neck and chest, "hot flushes", which are like sudden, intense feelings of heat and sweating throughout the body. Some women also have problems with dryness of the vagina causing discomfort during or after sexual intercourse. Oestrogens can be given to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
After the age of 40, and especially after the menopause, some women develop osteoporosis. This is a thinning of the bones that makes them weaker and more likely to break, especially the bones of the spine, hip and wrist. The risk of osteoporosis is increased by a lack of oestrogen. Oestrogens can be given to reduce this risk.
Women who still have a uterus must take both oestrogen and progestogen as part of HRT. This is because oestrogen stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). Before menopause this lining is shed during your period through the action of a natural progestogen.
After menopause, taking oestrogen on its own as HRT may lead to irregular bleeding and a disorder of the uterus lining called endometrial hyperplasia, which can become endometrial cancer. Progestogens help protect the lining of the uterus from developing this disorder.
If you do not have a womb, you do not need to take a progestogen as part of HRT.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions why Premarin has been
prescribed for you.
Premarin has been approved for the uses listed above. However, your doctor may
have prescribed it for another use.
Premarin is available only with a doctor's prescription. It is not habit-forming.
Premarin is not suitable for birth control and it will not restore fertility.
Before you take Premarin
When you must not take it
HRT should only be used if you have been fully informed of the risks.
The decision to use HRT should be based on your particular needs and health,
and made after a careful medical evaluation.
Do not use HRT to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, stroke or
dementia.
Using HRT may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast
cancer, blood clots or dementia.
Talk regularly with your doctor about whether you still need treatment with Premarin.
Do not take Premarin if you have an allergy to:
- Conjugated oestrogens the active ingredient in Premarin
- Any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- Any other medicine containing oestrogen, including the birth control pill.
Signs of allergy include a skin rash, itching, shortness of breath and/or a swollen face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body.
Do not take Premarin if you have:
- Cancer of the breast or uterus or any other oestrogen dependent cancer, or you have had this condition in the past or think you have one of these conditions.
- A problem with blood clots forming in your blood vessels, now or in the past. You may have had painful inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis) or blockage of a blood vessel in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
- Heart disease or have recently had a stroke.
- Abnormal genital bleeding, which your doctor has not checked out.
- Problems with your breasts, which your doctor has not checked out.
- Liver disease.
- Severe uncontrolled high blood pressure.
If you are not sure whether any of the above conditions apply to you, ask your doctor.
Do not take Premarin if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant or
you are breast-feeding.
It may harm your baby. Oestrogens have been found in breast milk and may
reduce the production of breast milk.
Do not take Premarin after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the
packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If this is the case, take the tablets back to your pharmacist.
If you are not sure whether you should take Premarin, contact your doctor.
Before you start to take it
You must have a thorough medical check-up before starting HRT for the first time or recommencing HRT.
Tell your doctor if you have:
- A family history of breast cancer
- Nodules, lumps or cysts in your breasts or any other benign breast condition (not cancer)
- Fibroids or other benign tumours of the uterus (not cancer)
- Unusual or irregular bleeding or spotting from the vagina
- Endometriosis
- High blood pressure
- Liver problems, including yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and a condition called porphyria
- Had a problem in the past with a condition called cholestatic jaundice when you were pregnant or took an oestrogen (eg birth control pill or HRT)
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Diabetes
- Migraine
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Depression
- Gall bladder disease
- A high level of triglycerides (fats) in the blood
- High or low levels of calcium in the blood.
Tell your doctor if you are likely to have an increased risk of developing blood clots in your blood vessels. The risk increases as you get older and it may also be increased if:
- Anyone in your immediate family has ever had blood clots in the blood vessels of the legs or lungs
- You are overweight
- You have a disorder called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you start taking Premarin.
Taking Other Medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills.
Premarin is not a contraceptive. Since pregnancy may be possible early in the
menopause while you are still having menstrual periods, you should ask your
doctor to suggest another (non-hormonal) method of birth control.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines,
including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Premarin may interfere with each other. These include:
- Herbal medicines containing St John's wort
- Some medicines for epilepsy such as phenytoin, phenobarbitone and carbamazepine
- Some antibiotics and anti-infectives such as rifampicin and erythromycin
- Thyroid replacement therapy
- Dexamethasone.
Premarin may affect these medicines or they may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicines or take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while you are using Premarin.
How to Take Premarin
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
These instructions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
When to start it
If you are not already using any type of HRT you can start Premarin on any convenient day. However, it is recommended you start Premarin after your last period. If you do not have predictable periods, then start Premarin on a Monday as this matches the directions on the calendar pack.
If you are already using a different type of HRT, your doctor can advise you when to start Premarin.
How much to take
For symptoms of menopause and prevention of osteoporosis, take one tablet daily.
For women with a womb, your doctor will also prescribe a progestogen tablet to be taken with your Premarin.
For symptoms of female hypogonadism, your doctor will prescribe Premarin according to your needs. The dose may be higher or lower than that prescribed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
Premarin can be taken with a meal or between meals.
Take all tablets in a blister pack before starting a new pack.
How long to take it
Although some women have no symptoms of the menopause or only mild ones, and may not need extra hormones, other women may need to use Premarin.
Your doctor can advise you how long you may need to take Premarin.
Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of long-term treatment with HRT in your particular case. Some recent studies have shown that women using HRT have a small increase in breast cancer risk. The risk increases with the length of HRT use.
Recent studies have also shown that HRT is associated with a small increase in the risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots, including clots in the lungs. On the other hand the risk of hip fractures and bowel cancer may be reduced.
Another study has shown that in women older than 65 years, HRT is associated with a small increase in the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It is not known if this finding applies to younger women.
If you forget to take it
If less than 12 hours has passed from the time you normally take
Premarin, take the missed tablet.
Take the next tablet at the usual time.
If more than 12 hours has passed, discard the missed tablet and take the
next tablet when you normally would.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Overdose
Telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800
764 766 ) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital immediately
if you think you or anybody else has taken too much Premarin.
If you have taken too much, symptoms you may get include nausea, vomiting,
breast tenderness, dizziness, stomach pain, and drowsiness or tiredness. Women
may also get withdrawal bleeding.
While you are taking Premarin
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while using Premarin, tell your doctor
immediately.
It should not be used while you are pregnant.
See your doctor at least every six months for a check up. Some women will need to go more often. Your doctor will:
- Check your breasts and order a mammogram at regular intervals.
- Check your uterus and cervix and do a pap smear at regular intervals
- Check your blood pressure.
Your doctor may also take blood to check your blood fat and sugar levels and liver function.
This helps to prevent unwanted effects of HRT.
Conduct monthly self-examination of your breasts.
Your doctor or nurse can show you how to check your breasts properly. If you
notice any changes to your breasts, see your doctor.
Include foods that are good sources of calcium and Vitamin D in your
daily diet and exercise regularly.
Calcium, Vitamin D and exercise may help prevent thinning of the bones. Your
doctor can advise you on which foods and types of exercise are best for you.
Tell your doctor well in advance (at least 4 to 6 weeks) of any expected
hospitalisation or surgery. If you go to hospital unexpectedly, tell the
doctor who admits you that you are using Premarin.
The risk of developing blood clots in your blood vessels may be temporarily
increased as a result of an operation, serious injury or having to stay in bed
for a prolonged period.
Tell your doctor if you have any breakthrough bleeding or spotting,
which persists after 2 to 3 months of treatment with Premarin.
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting may occur during the first few months of
treatment and then stop. However, if the bleeding continues your doctor may
wish to check why this is happening.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor
or pharmacist that you are taking Premarin.
Tell any other doctor, dentist or pharmacist who treats you that you are
taking Premarin.
Things you must not do
Do not use Premarin to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Premarin to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking Premarin.
All medicines have side effects. Often they are not serious but sometimes they
can be. You may need medical treatment if you get some side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- Signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other part of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing.
- Signs that clots may have formed, such as sudden severe headache, sudden loss of coordination, blurred vision, slurred speech, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, painful swelling in the calves or thighs, chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing blood.
- Sudden partial or complete loss of vision or other problems with your eyesight.
- Pain or tenderness in the abdomen, which may be accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
- A yellow colour to the skin or eyes, itching, dark coloured urine or light coloured bowel motions.
The above side effects are serious, requiring urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.
Tell you doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting (if bleeding is heavy check with your doctor as soon as possible)
- Tender, painful or swollen breasts, secretions from the breasts
- Period-like pain
- Vaginal discharge or change in secretions
- Vaginal thrush
- Enlargement of fibroids in the uterus
- Stomach cramps or swelling or passing wind
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or migraine
- Loss of memory
- Irregular, rapid jerky movements
- Dizziness
- Depression or anxiety
- Problems sleeping or sleepiness
- Moodiness or irritability
- Changes in sex drive
- Swelling of the lower legs, ankles or fingers due to fluid retention
- Swelling and redness along a vein which is extremely tender to touch
- Weight changes
- Acne, itchy skin, or skin discolouration
- Skin rash
- Hair loss or extra hair growth
- Intolerance to contact lenses
- Worsening of porphyria
- Enlargement of a pre-existing benign liver tumour
- Inflammation of the pancreas.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel
unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may happen in some people.
After taking Premarin
Storage
Keep your Premarin Tablets below 30°C.
Keep Premarin tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
Do not leave Premarin in the car or on windowsills.
Do not store Premarin, or any medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Premarin where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good
place to store medicines.
Disposal
Once you have finished taking Premarin Tablets ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
Premarin tablets are available in two different strengths:
- Premarin 0.3mg tablets
- Premarin 0.625mg tablets
Each strength comes in a pack of 28 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient is conjugated oestrogens.
Each dark green Premarin 0.3mg tablet contains conjugated oestrogens 0.3mg and is marked "0.3".
Each maroon Premarin 0.625mg tablet contains conjugated oestrogens 0.625 mg and is marked "0.625".
The following inactive ingredients are also found in all strengths of Premarin:
- Lactose
- Methylcellulose
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Sucrose
- Magnesium stearate
- Calcium phosphate
- Calcium sulfate
- Glyceryl mono-oleate
- Macrogol 20000
- Shellac
- Stearic acid
- Titanium dioxide
- Carnauba wax
- Edible ink.
The colouring agent found in Premarin 0.3 tablet is Opalux Green.
Opalux Green contains the following ingredients:
- Sodium benzoate
- Iron Oxide Yellow (CI77492)
- Indigo Carmine (CI73015)
- Methyl hydroxybenzoate
- Propyl hydroxybenzoate.
The colouring agent found in Premarin 0.625mg tablets is Opalux Maroon.
Opalux Maroon contains the following ingredients:
- Sodium benzoate
- Erythrosine (CI45430)
- Sunset yellow FCF (CI15985)
- Titanium dioxide
- Indigo Carmine (CI73015).
Manufacturer
Premarin Tablets are supplied in New Zealand by:
Wyeth (NZ) Limited
15B Vestey Drive
Mt Wellington
Auckland 1006
Telephone (09) 573 5100
If you would like more information about Premarin call Wyeth on free call 0800 447 400 (NZ) or email: medinfo@wyeth.com.
This leaflet was prepared on 7th February 2007
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