- What brand names are available for estropipate?
- Is estropipate available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for estropipate?
- What are the side effects of estropipate?
- What is the dosage for estropipate?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with estropipate?
- Is estropipate safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about estropipate?
- What is estropipate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
What are the side effects of estropipate?
Common side effects include break-through vaginal bleeding or spotting, loss of periods or excessively prolonged periods, breast pain, breast enlargement, and changes in sexuality (increased or decreased libido). Abdominal pain may result from obstruction of the gallbladder due to gallstones caused by the estrogen. Migraine headaches have been associated with estrogen therapy. Estrogens can cause sodium and fluid retention leading to swelling in the legs (edema). Melasma - tan or brown patches - may develop on the forehead, cheeks, or temples. These may persist even after the estrogen is stopped. Estrogens may cause an increase in the curvature of the cornea, and patients with contact lenses may develop intolerance to their lenses. Estrogens may increase risk of developing DVTs (deep vein thrombosis or blood clot) and endometrial cancer.
What is the dosage for estropipate?
The usually recommended dose for treating menopause is 0.75 to6 mg orally daily; cycling is 21 days on the medication followed by about 7- 10 days not taking the drug. The dose for osteoporosis prevention is 0.75 mg daily for 25 days then off for 6 days.
Which drugs or supplements interact with estropipate?
: Estrogens can inhibit the metabolism of cyclosporine, resulting in increased cyclosporine levels in blood. Such increased blood levels can result in kidney and/or liver damage. If this combination cannot be avoided, cyclosporine concentrations can be monitored, and the dose of cyclosporine can be adjusted to assure that its blood levels are not elevated.
Estrogens appear to increase the risk of liver disease in patients receiving dantrolene through an unknown mechanism. Women over 35 years of age and those with a history of liver disease are especially at risk. Estrogens increase the liver's ability to manufacture clotting factors. Because of this, patients receiving warfarin (Coumadin) need to be monitored for loss of the anticoagulant (blood thinning) effect of warfarin if estrogens like estropipate are added.
Rifampin (Rifadin), barbiturates, carbamazepine (Tegretol), griseofulvin, phenytoin (Dilantin) and primidone (Mysoline), all can increase the elimination of estrogens by enhancing the liver's ability to metabolize (break down) the estrogens. Thus, concurrent use of these drugs and estrogens may result in reduction of the beneficial effects of estrogens.
QUESTION
If menopause occurs in a woman younger than ___ years, it is considered to be premature. See AnswerIs estropipate safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Estrogens are secreted in breast milk and cause unpredictable effects in the infant. They generally are not recommended for nursing mothers.
What else should I know about estropipate?
What preparations of estropipate are available?
Tablets: 0.75, 1.5, 3, and 6 mg or 0.625, 1.25 or 2.5, depending on the drug manufacturer.
How should I keep estropipate stored?
Tablets should be stored below 25 C (77 F).
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What is estropipate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Summary
Estropipate (Ogen, ORTHO-EST) is a form of estrogen prescribed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness as well as to prevent bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the "change of life." Menopause symptoms and signs include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies and should be discussed with your physician.
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Vaginal Bleeding
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions that may include, uterine fibroids, IUDs, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, lupus, STDs, pelvic inflammatory disease, emotional stress, anorexia nervosa, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cancers, early pregnancy.
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Broken Bone
A broken bone is a fracture. There are different types of fractures, such as: compressed, open, stress, greenstick, spiral, vertebral compression, compound, and comminuted. Symptoms of a broken bone include pain at the site of injury, swelling, and bruising around the area of injury. Treatment of a fracture depends on the type and location of the injury.
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Osteoporosis
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
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Hot Flashes
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause, and often is described as the feeling of warmth that spreads over the body, often starting at the head accompanied by sweating. Symptoms of hot flashes include flushing, excessive sweating, anxiety, and palpitations.
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What Are the Benefits of Taking Estrogen?
Estrogen therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment for alleviating the symptoms caused by menopausal transition. Estrogen therapy can alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, painful intercourse and bone loss.
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Premature Menopause
Premature menopause is when menopause occurs in a woman before the age of 40. Causes of premature menopause include premature ovarian failure, treatments for cancer and other conditions, surgical removal of the ovaries, chronic diseases of the pituitary or thyroid gland, or psychiatric disorders. Treatment is directed at menopausal symptoms.
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Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are experienced by many women, especially at night. However, not all women undergoing menopause experience hot flashes. What causes hot flashes? A hot flash is a feeling of warmth that spreads over the body. Treatment for hot flashes include hormone replacement therapy and alternative prescription medications such as: SSRIs (Effexor, Paxil, Prozac), clonidine (Catapres), megestrol (Megace), and gabapentin (Neurontin). Few natural remedies for hot flashes (for example phytoestrogens - isoflavones, black cohosh, and vitamin E) have been scientifically studied.
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Sex and Menopause
Menopause is often associated with a change in sexual functioning. Loss of estrogen, bladder control issues, anxiety, stress, health concerns, medications, and sleep disturbances often result in a decrease in libido. Though there are currently no good drugs for treating sexual problems in women, there are ways to increase intimacy with a partner and treat vaginal dryness.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Menopause FAQs
- Osteoporosis FAQs
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- What Are Hypercoagulable States?
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- estradiol, Alora, Climara, Delestrogen, Depo-Estradiol, Divigel, Elestrin, Estrace, and Others
- estrogens conjugated (Premarin)
- Evista (raloxifene)
- esterified estrogens (Menest)
- conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, Prempro, Premphase
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Reference: FDA Prescribing Information