Are you going through the important stage of your life called menopause? Or are you already past it? Then you must be tired of the sudden heat and sweating (hot flashes) that come to your body? Along with these discomforts, the gradual weakening of your bones is also something that happens during this time. So, your doctor may have prescribed you the medicine that we are talking about in this article to control these discomforts and keep your bones strong. Let's see what you need to know about this medicine in simple terms.
What kind of medicine is this? Simply put...
This is actually a type of hormone. Simply put, with menopause, the hormone estrogen that is naturally produced in our body decreases. This medicine works by restoring the decreased estrogen hormone levels to some extent. Then, as mentioned earlier, the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and sweating decrease.
Also, this medicine helps prevent osteoporosis. Estrogen is a hormone that helps keep our bones strong. So when it decreases, bones can become weak. This medicine reduces that risk.
The most important thing is, this is a medicine that should only be used if prescribed by your doctor, and exactly as he or she says. Never assume that it will work for you just because you see someone else using it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. It may interact with other medical conditions in your body. Therefore, before starting this medicine, it is essential to tell your doctor your complete health history. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform them.
| Health conditions to inform your doctor about | |
|---|---|
| Cancerous conditions | If you have had or currently have cancer in places such as the breast, cervix, uterus, ovaries, or liver. |
| Blood and blood vessel problems | Blood clotting disorders, stroke, recent heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. |
| Problems specific to women | Unexplained vaginal bleeding, endometriosis, uterine fibroids. |
| Other medical conditions | Liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, thyroid problems, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, dementia, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). |
| Other points | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you smoke. If you have any allergies to this medicine or any other medicines or foods. |
How do you use this medicine?
- This pill should be taken orally with a glass of water .
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , exactly as your doctor prescribed. That way, you won't forget and the medicine will work better.
- Continue using this until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't stop suddenly, even if you feel better.
- Always read the package insert that comes with your medicine carefully. It may contain important information.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Please don't worry about forgetting to take your medicine. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suddenly think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You need to take a little extra care of your body while taking this medicine.
1. Regular medical checkups: Go to your doctor at the times recommended by your doctor. It is especially important to have a breast exam, a Pap test, and a mammogram on time.
2. Cancer risk: Estrogen hormone therapy may slightly increase the risk of breast or uterine cancer in some women. This is why regular checkups are important. If you experience unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause, tell your doctor right away.
3. Risk of blood clots: This medication may slightly increase the risk of blood clots or stroke. This risk is especially high in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, who are overweight, and who smoke.
4. Before surgery: If you are planning to have surgery or are going to be confined to bed for a few days, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking this medication. You may need to stop taking the medication for a while before the surgery.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Some are serious, while others are mild.
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a Blood Clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, sudden severe headache, and changes in vision. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and dark urine. |
| Other serious symptoms | High blood pressure, gallbladder problems (severe stomach pain, vomiting), sudden vision changes or eye pain, vaginal bleeding even after menopause. |
| 🙂 Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Digestive system | Nausea, stomach ache, diarrhea. |
| Other | Dizziness, sore throat, muscle twitching, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
This medicine may interact with other medicines, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking. Therefore, tell your doctor about everything you are taking. Especially the following may affect the way this medicine works.
- Medicines for epilepsy (e.g. Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin)
- Some antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole)
- Some antibiotics (e.g. Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Rifampin)
- Herbal products such as St. John's wort
- Grapefruit juice
- Thyroid hormones
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Take-Home Message
- This medication is a hormone therapy that helps prevent menopause symptoms and bone loss.
- It is imperative that you tell your doctor your complete health history (especially cancer, blood clots, heart disease) before using this.
- Do not skip scheduled medical exams (breast exams, Pap smears, mammograms) while taking the medication.
- If you experience serious symptoms such as leg pain and swelling, difficulty breathing, sudden headache, or unusual bleeding, see a doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
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