Premarin is a mixture of estrogen hormones used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. Other uses include prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and replacement of estrogen in women with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen in the body. Premarin is sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men.
Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body. Premarin should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because this medication may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions. Premarin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot (especially in your lung or your lower body), liver disease, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Premarin if you are pregnant.
Long-term treatment with Premarin may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using Premarin long term, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using Premarin. Premarin should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia, because this medication may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.
Side effects
- Breakthrough bleeding and spotting
- Breast pain, tenderness or enlargement
- Headache/migraine
- Gut disturbances, such as nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, indigestion• Leg cramps
- Fatigue
- Weight changes
- Vaginal thrush
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Changes in sex drive
- Rise in blood pressure
- Gall bladder disease
- Swelling of the ankles due to to fluid retention (peripheral oedema)
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch
- Steepening of corneal curvature which may make contact lenses uncomfortable.
- Premenstrual-like symptoms
- Disturbance in liver function
- Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma)
- Blood clots in the blood
