What is the important information about Premarin and Prempro and all estrogens and estrogens plus progestins drug products?
June 1, 2004 09:26

Premarin and Prempro, as well as other estrogen and estrogen plus progestin drug products have associated risks that may outweigh the benefits for women. A major HRT study released by the Womens Health Initiative shows (read study):

• Postmenopausal women should not take estrogen and progestin to protect the heart.
• Estrogens and progestins may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.
• Although other doses of Prempro and other estrogens and progestins were not studied, postmenopausal women who take estrogens and progestins should also be warned about potential risks, which must be presumed to be the same.
• When these drugs are being prescribed only to prevent osteoporosis, other treatments should be considered before prescribing estrogen or estrogen with progestin.
• Estrogens and estrogens with progestins should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest duration.