Premarin

Premarin is a female hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopausal symptoms. Premarin is available as tablets containing the active ingredient conjugated oestrogen. The tablets can relieve the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, by supplementing the body's natural supply of oestrogens.

Premarin tablets are prescribed to women who have undergone hysterectomy (surgical removal of the womb or uterus) or to postmenopausal women taking a progestogen medication, including progesterone or progestin such as utrogestan, levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs, medroxyprogesterone, and norethisterone.

You can buy Premarin tablets, by Pfizer, online from euroClinix’s UK registered pharmacy after completing a short and confidential health questionnaire.

Your levels of oestrogen, a sex hormone essential for the maintenance of bone density and sexual health in women, will reduce as menopause sets in. Premarin tablets contain a mixture of female oestrogen hormones that are used to replace the oestrogens no longer produced by the body.

Premarin can alleviate several symptoms of menopause, including:

• hot flushes - sudden feelings of intense warmth which spread over your body from face down to chest or back, often accompanied by sweating and palpitations
• night sweats - waking up during the night with damp bedclothes or pyjamas due to heavy sweating
• sleep disturbances (e.g insomnia) - not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep long enough to feel rested, which can leave you feeling very tired during the day

Premarin is also able to prevent bone fractures and bone loss caused by osteoporosis, helping you stay mobile. It may also be used for certain conditions such as premature ovarian failure when taken along with a contraceptive treatment. However, in these cases it must have been recommended and your condition monitored by your doctor.

Can Premarin prevent heart attacks?

Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with oestrogen alone has been shown to decrease the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Some studies show that women with a history of heart disease who take HRT with oestrogen alone are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease than those who do not take HRT with oestrogen alone. You should discuss all your treatment options for preventing or treating heart disease with your healthcare provider before taking Premarin.

Women should be treated with Premarin at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration. For women without a uterus, the starting dose is between 0.3-1.25mg daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. You should not change the dosage for any reason without your doctor’s advice.

Premarin is available in a variety of doses, including:

• Premarin 0.3 mg tablets (300mcg)
• Premarin 0.625 mg tablets (most common dosage)
• Premarin 1.25 mg tablets

Follow all directions by your GP and the advice provided in the patient information leaflet. Here are some directions on how to use:

• The tablets are taken orally. They should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
• Take the tablets once a day, at the same time each day.
• You should take the tablets with food. You can take them before, during or after a meal.
• If you miss a dose of Premarin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

If you're not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Premarin is generally well-tolerated, but it can pose a slight increased risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus), risk of stroke, risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and blood clots with long-term use. Your doctor will want you to have regular check-ups if you take Premarin.

Who should not take this hormone therapy?

For some women, it may be unsafe to use Premarin. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• liver disease
• a history of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• risk of pulmonary embolism
• an inherited blood disease (porphyria)
• endometrial hyperplasia left untreated
• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a doctor
• breast cancer
• had jaundice during pregnancy or when taking oestrogen
• cancer of the uterus, cervix, or vagina
• underactive thyroid gland
• epilepsy
• hereditary angioedema
• endometriosis (uterine lining growing outside the uterus)
• gallbladder disease
• high or low levels of calcium in the blood
• high blood pressure
• fibroids or other benign tumours of the uterus

Tell your doctor about all medications you are using - as they may interact with Premarin. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you use, including supplements and herbal medicines. Please mention any of the following:

• carbamazepine
• cyclosporine
• metyrapone
• phenobarbital
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• st. John's wort
• HIV protease inhibitors

Additionally, do not drink grapefruit juice whilst taking this treatment.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for any side effects.

Studies have reported that women who have taken certain types of HRT for 5 or more years may be at a slightly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. If you are more at risk of ovarian cancer, your doctor may not prescribe you Premarin.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to conjugated oestrogens, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in these tablets.

All medicines carry risks and can cause adverse effects. Some of the common ones are mild and you should not be alarmed if you experience these.

You may experience the following Premarin side effects:

Seek immediate medical attention if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, chest pain, slurred speech, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing. For all possible side effects, please refer to the patient leaflet.

This is a prescription-only medicine (POM) and can be ordered from euroClinix after completing a short questionnaire. Your order will then be dispensed by our UK registered pharmacy and sent by post, free of charge with next-day delivery.

If you decide to place an order for Premarin, we will ask you to complete an online questionnaire about your health and medical history, so our doctors can make sure the medication is right for you before prescribing it. This is because certain health conditions may mean that Premarin tablets should not be taken. We also need to make sure that the correct dosage of this treatment is prescribed, depending on what symptoms are being treated and how severe they are.

*Please note: Premarin is intended for women who have had their uterus removed. In any other case, you must be taking a progestogen to receive a Premarin prescription if you have not had your uterus or "womb" removed.