• Estrogens, when used in females after menopause, may increase the risk of uterine cancer. Progestins may decrease this risk. A warning sign for cancer of the uterus is unusual vaginal bleeding. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding to healthcare provider.
• Do not take estrogens to prevent heart disease or dementia. Using estrogens may increase your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, breast cancer, or a blood clot.
• Do not take estrogens if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, call healthcare provider right away.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to estradiol, norethindrone, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots, breast cancer, liver disease, stroke, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• When the body no longer produces estrogen, this medicine is used as an estrogen replacement.
• Norethindrone is a progesterone used to reduce endometrial cell changes and the risk of endometrial cancer.
Oral:
• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
• Take this medicine with food.
• This medicine works best when used with calcium/vitamin D supplements and weight-bearing exercises like walking or physical therapy.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
Skin patch:
• Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin. Move site with each patch.
• Do not place on breast.
• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2006-10-13 12:21:39.0
Modified: 2010-04-06 12:42:24.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood pressure regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
• Check blood work (cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Have a yearly eye exam.
• Bone density test.
• Periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and yearly gynecologic exams are important.
• Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Read the package insert for more details.
• This medicine is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal females.
• This medicine is used to stop or reduce the symptoms of menopause.
• This medicine is used to treat ovarian removal, malfunction, or failure.
• This medicine is used to treat vaginal irritation and dryness caused by menopause.
• There may be a higher risk of breast cancer.
• The patch may contain conducting metal. Remove patch before MRI.
• If you have any circulation problems, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Headache.
• Belly pain.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Breast enlargement.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.
• Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
• Severe headache.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Change in contact lens tolerance.
• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.
• A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.
• For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
