Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Bijuva
- Estrogens/Progestins-HRT
Description
Replaces 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone hormones
Estradiol: Estrogen replacement therapy; reduces the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone from hypothalamus and luteinizing hormone and FSH from pituitary gland
Progesterone: Progestin replacement therapy; inhibits secretion of gonadotropins from pituitary gland; enhances cellular differentiation and generally opposes the actions of estrogens by decreasing estrogen receptor levels
Indications
Indicated for women with a uterus for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms related to menopause
Contraindications
Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer
Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions
Active arterial thromboembolic disease (eg, stroke, MI) or a history of these conditions
Known anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, or hypersensitivity to estradiol, progesterone, or any excipients
Known liver impairment or disease
Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders
Adverse Effects
Breast tenderness (10.4%)
Headache (3.4%)
Vaginal bleeding (3.4%)
Vaginal discharge (3.4%)
Pelvic pain (3.1%)
Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal pain and discomfort, abdominal distention, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue, feeling abnormal, malaise
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Fluid retention, weight increased
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Muscle spasms, pain in extremity; nervous system disorders dizziness, headache, somnolence, psychiatric disorders
Sleep disorder: Insomnia
Reproductive system and breast disorders: Breast pain, breast tenderness, uterine bleeding. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Night sweats, pruritus
Vascular disorders: Hot flush
Warnings
Increased risk of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI with estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Increased risk of breast cancer with estrogen plus progestin HRT
Increased risk of endometrial cancer reported with unopposed estrogen therapy in women with a uterus; endometrial cancer risk among unopposed estrogen users is about 2- to 12-fold greater than in nonusers, and appears dependent on treatment duration and estrogen dose
Nonsignificant increased risk for ovarian cancer reported in the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy
Risk of probable dementia increased in women aged 65-79 yr taking estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone
A 2- to 4-fold increase for risk of gallbladder disease requiring surgery reported in postmenopausal women receiving estrogens
Estrogen may lead to severe hypercalcemia in women with breast cancer and bone metastases
Retinal vascular thrombosis reported in women receiving estrogens
Adding progestin for ≥10 days of estrogen administration cycle, or daily with an estrogen continuous regimen, a lowered incidence of endometrial hyperplasia was reported than would be induced by estrogen treatment alone
Several case reports describe substantial increased blood pressure attributed to idiosyncratic reactions to estrogens
In women with preexisting hypertriglyceridemia, estrogen therapy may be associated with elevated plasma triglycerides leading to pancreatitis
Estrogens may be poorly metabolized with impaired liver function; caution with history of cholestatic jaundice associated with past estrogen use or with pregnancy
Estrogen administration leads to increased thyroid-binding globulin levels; women dependent on thyroid hormone replacement therapy who are also receiving estrogens may require an increased thyroid replacement dose
Pregnancy and Lactation
Not indicated for women who are premenopausal, pregnant, or lactating
Maximum Dosage
1 capsule (1 mg/100 mg) PO each evening with food
Not indicated.
Pediatric
Not indicated
How supplied
Estradiol/progesterone
capsule
- 0.5mg/100mg
- 1mg/100mg