estrogens conjugated (cont.)
PREGNANCY: Estrogens should not be given to pregnant women due to the
risk of harm to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Estrogens are secreted in breast milk and cause
unpredictable effects in the infant. They should not be taken by women who are
breast-feeding.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects of conjugated estrogens include
headache, abdominal pain, nervousness, nausea, back pain, joint pain and vaginal
bleeding. Patients may also experience vaginal spotting, loss of periods or
excessively prolonged periods, breast pain, breast enlargement and an increase
or decrease in sexual drive. Effects of estrogen on the skin include rash, and
melasma (tan or brown patches) that may develop on the forehead, cheeks, or
temples and may persist even after estrogens are stopped. In the eyes,
conjugated estrogens may cause an increase in the curvature of the cornea, and,
as a result, patients with contact lenses may develop intolerance to their
lenses. Estrogens may increase calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) in
patients with breast and bone cancer. Some patients may experience increased
blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
There is an increased risk of cholesterol gallstones among men and women
taking estrogens. Estrogens also may inhibit the flow of bile from the liver (cholestasis)
and uncommonly cause jaundice. Estrogens can cause salt (sodium) and water
retention (edema). Therefore, patients with heart failure or reduced function of
their kidneys who are taking estrogens should be carefully observed for water
retention and its complications.
Blood clots in the legs or lungs occasionally occur in women taking
conjugated estrogens. This potentially serious complication of estrogen therapy
is dose-related, that is, it occurs more commonly with higher doses. Therefore,
the lowest effective doses that relieve symptoms should be used. Cigarette
smokers are at a higher risk for blood clots. Therefore, patients requiring
estrogen therapy should quit smoking.
Estrogens can promote a build up of the lining of the uterus (endometrial
hyperplasia) and increase the risk of endometrial cancer. (Women who have
undergone surgical removal of the uterus-hysterectomy--are not susceptible to
endometrial hyperplasia.) The addition of a progestin to estrogen therapy
prevents the development of endometrial cancer.
The Women's Health Initiative found that postmenopausal women (50-79 years
old) taking conjugated estrogens, 0.625 mg daily, in combination with
medroxyprogesterone, 2.5 mg daily, for five years, had an increased risk of
heart attacks, stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots, while postmenopausal
women taking conjugated estrogens without progesterone experienced only
increased strokes but not increased blood clots, heart disease, or breast
cancer. There was an increased risk of impaired cognition and/or dementia among
women over age 65 treated with either estrogens or estrogens and
medroxyprogesterone.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 3/28/2006
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Menopause - Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching, dryness, and pain, urinary symptoms, weight gain, acne, skin texture changes, and mood changes.
- estradiol, Estrace, Climara, Estraderm - Deciphers the medication estradiol (Estrace, Climara, Estraderm), a drug prescribed for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause, prevention of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis, reduction of the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Latest Medical News
Back to Medications Index
Menopause RSS