Premarin ratings & reviews

Premarin is a brand of conjugated estrogens in tablet form for oral administration. The active ingredients include sodium estrone sulfate and sodium equilin sulfate, with available dosages of 0.3 mg, 0.45 mg, 0.625 mg, 0.9 mg, and 1.25 mg. Key inactive ingredients are calcium phosphate tribasic, carnauba wax, and lactose monohydrate. Premarin tablets are intended to deliver conjugated estrogens purified from pregnant mares' urine.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

A patient package insert for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. The sheet may change often.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or expired:

• Take the medication to a take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, empty it out of the container. Mix it with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or another unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
• Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Breast tissue changes, new lumps, redness, pain, or discharge from the nipple
• Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Increase in blood pressure
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Bloating
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Dark patches of skin on the face or other sun-exposed areas
• Hair loss
• Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Blood vessel disease or blood clots
• Breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease or recent heart attack
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High level of calcium in the blood
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Migraine headaches
• Protein C deficiency
• Protein S deficiency
• Stroke
• Tobacco use
• An unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Aromatase inhibitors, such as aminoglutethimide, anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, testolactone
• Metyrapone

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital
• Carbamazepine
• Clarithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Grapefruit juice
• Medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Ritonavir
• St. John's Wort
• Thyroid hormones

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Talk to your care team often to see if you still need to take this medication.

You will need pelvic exams, breast exams, and mammograms on a regular schedule while you are taking this medication.

Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. This medication can increase the risk of getting certain types of cancer, such as breast or uterine cancer. If you have a uterus, talk to your care team about whether you should also be taking a progestin. This may reduce your risk of uterine cancer. They can help you decide what is best for you. Talk to your care team right away if you have vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or unusual vaginal discharge.

Talk to your care team if you use tobacco products. Changes to your treatment plan may be needed. Tobacco increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medication. This risk is higher if you are 35 years or older.

If you are going to need surgery or a procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this medication.

This medication may cause your eyes to feel dry or irritated. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating eye drops may help. Talk to your care team if your symptoms do not go away or are severe.

The tablet shell for some brands of this medication does not dissolve. This is normal. The tablet shell may appear whole in the stool. This is not a cause for concern. Talk to your care team if this occurs.

Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Serious fetal side effects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

Do not use this medicine to prevent heart disease. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, or blood clots.

Estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting breast cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have ever had cancer. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get new breast lumps.

Estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chance of getting dementia based on a study of women 65 years of age or older.

If you have a uterus, using estrogens alone (without progestins) may increase your chance of uterine cancer (cancer of the womb).