What is Premarin?
Premarin is in a class of drugsknown as Conjugated Estrogens.
Estrogen is a female sex hormone necessary for many processes in the
body.
Premarin is used to treat symptoms of menopause; deficiency in
ovary function (including underdevelopment of female sexual
characteristics and some types of infertility); some types of breast
cancer in men and in postmenopausal women; degeneration of the vagina;
and urethra and prostate cancer. In addition, Premarin used to prevent
osteoporosis.
Cautions Regarding Premarin
Premarin increases the risk of developing a condition (endometrial
hyperplasia) that may lead to cancer of the lining of the uterus.
Taking progestins, another hormone drug, with Premarin lowers the risk
of developing this condition. Therefore, if your uterus has not been
removed, your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take
together with the estrogen. Visit your doctor regularly and report any
unusual vaginal bleeding right away.
Treatment with Premarin may increase the risk of heart attack,
stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots in the lungs or legs. Because
of these risks, Premarin should be prescribed at the lowest effective
dose, for the shortest amount of time necessary.
Have yearly physical exams and examine your breasts for lumps on a
monthly basis while taking conjugated estrogens.
Premarin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that
Premarin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not
take Premarin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
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