Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D.
Medical Editors: Jay Marks, M.D. and Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, FACP

GENERIC NAME: conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate

BRAND NAME: Prempro, Premphase

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Prempro and Premphase are combinations of conjugated estrogens (Premarin) and medroxyprogesterone (Provera). For more information please see the conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate articles.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Prempro: tablets 0.3 mg/1.5 mg, 0.45 mg/1.5 mg, 0.625 mg/2.5 mg, 0.625 mg/5 mg (conjugated estrogen/medroxyprogesterone). Premphase: tablets, 28 day pack containing 14 tablets of 0.625 mg conjugated estrogens and 14 tablets of 0.625 mg/5 mg (conjugated estrogen/medroxyprogesterone).

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 15-30°C (59-8677°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Prempro and Premphase are prescribed for women with a uterus who are experiencing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, uterine bleeding and other symptoms associated with menopause. They also are approved for treating osteoporosis; however, other drugs usually are prescribed for this purpose.

DOSING: One tablet of Prempro should be taken daily. The lowest effective dose should be used. For either hot flashes or osteoporosis, patients are most often started at a dose of 0.3 mg/1.5 mg. For women with hot flashes, the dose is adjusted depending on the response of the hot flashes. Patients should take one tablet of Premphase daily starting with the 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen tablets for 14 days followed by one tablet daily of the 0.625/5 mg conjugated estrogen/medroxyprogesterone tablets for 14 days.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Please see the conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate articles.

PREGNANCY: Prempro and Premphase 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: Please see the conjugated estrogens (Premarin) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera, Cycrin, Depo-Provera) articles.

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Last Editorial Review: 10/12/2004