Medications and Drugs
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.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 10/12/2004
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.
- Hormonal Methods of Birth Control - Read about hormonal birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives, the patch, birth control injection, and vaginal ring. The hormones used in hormonal birth control are estrogen and/or progesterone.
- 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.
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