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Femhrt |
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What is Femhrt and why is it prescribed? Femhrt is designed for use in hormone replacement therapy. Femhrt combines a form of estrogen with a substance that acts like progesterone. Both relieve the symptoms of menopause, and both are prescribed to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Estrogen, when taken by itself, poses an increased risk of uterine cancer. The progestin in Femhrt largely counteracts this effect. Because of the risk of uterine cancer, be sure to alert your doctor if you experience any abnormal vaginal bleeding. There is little, if any, increase in risk during the first year of treatment, but the odds rise substantially after 5 to 10 years. How should you take Femhrt? Follow your doctors directions for taking Femhrt. Take one tablet at the same time each day, with or without food. If you are taking Femhrt to relieve menopausal symptoms, your doctor will reevaluate your need for medication every 3 to 6 months. If you are taking the product to prevent osteoporosis, you will probably continue for years. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. Store Femhrt at room temperature. Are there any Femhrt side effects? Femhrt side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Femhrt side effects may include abdominal pain, breast tenderness and enlargement, depression, enlargement of uterine fibroids, headache, nausea, nervousness, skin reddening, urinary tract infection, vaginal inflammation, and vomiting. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Femhrt? If Femhrt is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Femhrt with Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Aspirin, Clofibrate (Atromid-S), Cyclosporine (Neoral), Morphine, Seizure medications (such as Dilantin, Tegretol, and phenobarbital), Steroid medications (such as prednisone/Deltasone), Rifampin (Rifadin), Temazepam (Restoril), or Theophylline (Theo-Dur). Are there any special warnings about Femhrt? In addition to increasing the chances of uterine cancer, Femhrt may also raise the odds of breast cancer if taken at high doses or for long periods of time. Be sure to do a monthly self-exam of your breasts, and get regular mammograms. Femhrt typically doubles the chances of gallbladder disease. Notify your doctor if you experience pain, tenderness, or swelling in your abdomen. Estrogen replacement increases the risk of blood clots in the veins, especially during the first year of therapy. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following warning signs: bulging eyes, changes in vision or speech, coughing up blood, dizziness, double vision, faintness, migraine, pains in the calves or chest, severe headache or vomiting, sudden shortness of breath, sudden vision loss, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg. Femhrt sometimes causes high blood pressure, so be sure to get periodic checkups. In women prone to high blood lipid levels, estrogen can also cause a sharp spike in triglycerides, possibly leading to pancreatitis. Fluid retention is another possibility. If it develops, it can aggravate conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease, and migraine. Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever been diagnosed with depression. Treatment with Femhrt should be discontinued if depression recurs. If you have diabetes, watch your blood sugar levels especially carefully. There's a chance that estrogen/progestin products may make diabetes worse. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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