Estrogen and Progestin (Hormone Replacement Therapy)

Activella; femhrt; Ortho-Prefest; Premphase; Prempro
Other name(s): conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone; estradiol and norgestimate; estradiol and norethindrone; ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone; HRT Logo

Brand name(s): Activella; femhrt; Ortho-Prefest; Premphase; Prempro
Other name(s): conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone; estradiol and norgestimate; estradiol and norethindrone; ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone; HRT

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking hormone replacement therapy,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, others); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone) and prednisolone (Prelone); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); salicylic acid; temazepam (Restoril); theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur); and thyroid medication such as levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• in addition to the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have had a hysterectomy and if you have or have ever had asthma; toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy); depression; epilepsy (seizures); migraine headaches; liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney disease; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention (bloating) during the menstrual cycle.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor immediately. Estrogen and progestin may harm the fetus.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist you are taking hormone replacement therapy.
• tell your doctor if you smoke cigarettes. Smoking while taking this medication may increase your risk of serious side effects such as blood clots and stroke. Smoking also may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses. If you notice changes in vision or ability to wear your lenses while taking hormone replacement therapy, see an eye doctor.

Last Revised: 04/01/2003

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