Premarin tablets

Premarin is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It contains the female hormone oestrogen. Premarin is used to treat some of the symptoms and conditions associated with menopause.

Sometimes it is also prescribed to reduce the risk of osteoporosis after menopause (see the package leaflet for more information).

The active substances in Premarin (conjugated oestrogens) restore hormonal balance. This helps to reduce menopausal symptoms and the risk of osteoporosis.

Always take Premarin exactly as your doctor has instructed you.

For menopausal symptoms the usual dose is one tablet every day. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that will control your symptoms. Premarin 0.3 mg is the lowest starting dose. If your symptoms are not adequately controlled higher doses of Premarin can be used.

For the treatment of osteoporosis the usual dose is one 0.625 mg tablet every day but your doctor may advise you to use 1.25 mg each day. You and your doctor should review the need for treatment regularly.

Take your tablet at the same time each day as this will help to remind you to take your medicine.

While you are taking Premarin you will have no tablet-free days. You should start your next pack the day after you finish the previous one.

If you have had a hysterectomy, you are not expected to have a period.

If you have not had a hysterectomy, you may be taking an additional progestogen tablet for 12-14 days each month, and you will probably have a 'period', or withdrawal bleed each month at about the time you finish the additional progestogen tablets.

Do not take Premarin if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to conjugated oestrogens or any of the ingredients of Premarin.
• You have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it.
• You have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens such as cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrium) or if you are suspected of having it.
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated.
• You have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• You have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency).
• You have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina.
• You have or have previously had liver disease.
• You have a rare blood problem called porphyria which is passed down in families (inherited).
• You are pregnant, or you are breastfeeding.

If any of the above conditions appear for the first time while taking Premarin, stop taking it at once and consult your doctor immediately.

When to take special care with Premarin

In some cases, special care should be taken when using Premarin. For instance, if you have certain health problems or conditions, or if you get these during your treatment with Premarin. In addition, the use of HRT carries risks which need to be considered.

For more information on warnings, see the package leaflet. Always consult a doctor if you are unsure if Premarin is suitable for you.

Other medicines and Premarin

Some medicines may interfere with the effect of Premarin. This might lead to irregular bleeding. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal remedies or other natural products. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking:

• An anticonvulsant (used to treat epilepsy e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine).
• An anti-infective e.g. used to treat tuberculosis (rifampicin, rifabutin) or HIV (nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir and nelfinavir).
• A herbal preparation such as St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
• Metyrapone (most commonly used in the treatment of Cushing’s syndrome).

Note:

• Premarin is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy.
•  If you’re going to have surgery, make sure your doctor knows about it or tell the surgeon that you are taking Premarin. You may need to stop taking Premarin about four to six weeks before the operation, to reduce the risk of a blood clot.

You can get Premarin at the pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription. Premarin is available with a prescription only. If you are a candidate for this medicine, the doctor can write a prescription for Premarin after an online consultation.

Would you like to know what Premarin costs? Check our order page. The price listed includes the cost for the consultation and a service fee. You won’t be charged extra for these costs.

 Like all medicines, Premarin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following diseases are reported more often in women using HRT compared to women not using HRT:

• Breast cancer.
• Abnormal growth or cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer).
• Ovarian cancer.
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism).
• Heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Probable memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65.

For more information about these side effects, see the package leaflet.

Other side effects that have been reported include:

• Abdominal uterine bleeding such as breakthrough bleeding or spotting, changes in menstrual flow, pelvic pain, vaginal inflammation and vaginal discharge.
• A tendency to get thrush.
• Breast pain, breast tenderness, swollen breasts, discharge from the nipples and changes in breast tissue.
• Feeling of being sick, a feeling of being bloated, abdominal pain.
• Headache or migraine.
• Dizziness.
• Changes in mood including anxiety, depression and irritability.
• Joint pain, leg cramps.
• Changes in your interest in sex (increased or decreased libido).

This list is not exhaustive. For a complete list of possible side effects, see the package leaflet. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in the leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

What Premarin contains

The active substance is a mixture of hormones called conjugated oestrogens.

Premarin is available in three different strengths:

• The green tablets marked with ‘0.3’ in white ink contain 0.3 mg conjugated oestrogens.
• The maroon tablets marked with ‘0.625’ contain 0.625 mg conjugated oestrogens.
• The yellow tablets marked with ‘1.25’ contain 1.25 mg conjugated oestrogens.

The other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, sucrose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, macrogol, carnauba wax, edible ink and coating.

• The edible ink on the green and maroon tablets contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171) and propylene glycol (E1520).

• The edible ink on the yellow tablets contains hypromellose, iron oxide black (E172) and propylene glycol (E1520).

• The coating on the green tablets contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), quinoline yellow (E104), indigo carmine (E132), macrogol and polysorbate 80.

• The coating on the maroon tablets contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), red aluminium lake (E129), indigo carmine (E132) and macrogol.

• The coating on the yellow tablets contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), quinoline yellow (E104), sunset yellow (E110), macrogol and polysorbate 80.

These dyes are approved for use as food colourings.