Estrogen and Bazedoxifene
Taking estrogen increases the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus [womb]) during your treatment or up to 15 years after your treatment, if you have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus [womb]). The longer you take estrogen, the greater the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer. Taking bazedoxifene along with estrogen may decrease the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer. Do not take any other medications that contain estrogen during your treatment because this may increase the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer. Before you begin taking estrogen, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had cancer and if you have unusual vaginal bleeding. Your doctor may tell you not to take estrogen and bazedoxifene if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding. Your doctor will monitor you closely because of the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer during or after your treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you have any abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding during your treatment with estrogen.
In a large study, women who take estrogen had a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots in the lungs or legs, breast cancer, and dementia (loss of ability to think, learn, and understand) than women who do not take estrogen. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had blood clots or breast cancer, if you have had a heart attack or a stroke, or if you have any condition that increases the risk that you will develop blood clots. Your doctor may tell you not to take estrogen and bazedoxifene. Also tell your doctor if you smoke or use tobacco, and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, high blood levels of cholesterol or fats, diabetes, heart disease, lupus (a condition in which the body attacks its own tissues causing damage and swelling), breast lumps, or an abnormal mammogram (x-ray of the breast used to find breast cancer).
The following symptoms can be signs of the serious health conditions listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while you are taking estrogen and bazedoxifene: sudden, severe headache; sudden, severe vomiting; speech problems; dizziness or faintness; sudden complete or partial loss of vision; double vision; weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg; crushing chest pain or chest heaviness; coughing up blood; sudden shortness of breath; difficulty thinking clearly, remembering, or learning new things; breast lumps or other breast changes; discharge from nipples; or pain, tenderness, or redness in one leg.
You should examine your breasts every month and have a mammogram and a breast exam performed by a doctor every year to help detect breast cancer as early as possible. Your doctor will tell you how to properly examine your breasts and whether you should have these exams more often than once a year because of your personal or family medical history.
Tell your doctor if you are having surgery or will be on bed rest. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking estrogen and bazedoxifene 4 to 6 weeks before the surgery or bed rest to decrease the risk that you will develop blood clots. If you will be traveling, be sure to get up and move around from time to time because sitting still for too long may increase the risk that you will develop blood clots.
You can take steps to decrease the risk that you will develop a serious health problem while you are taking estrogen. Estrogen and bazedoxifene should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Taking the lowest dose of estrogen that controls your symptoms and only taking estrogen as long as needed can help reduce these risks. Talk to your doctor from time to time to decide if you should take a lower dose of estrogen or should stop taking the medication.
It’s not just health insurance premiums, but also deductibles, that keep on rising. In 2018, the average deductible was $3,000 for a gold-tier family plan, $8,000 for a silver-tier family plan and $12,000 for a bronze-tier family plan, according to USC Annenberg’s Center for Health Journalism.
Talk to your doctor regularly about the risks of taking estrogen and bazedoxifene.
🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?
Estrogen and bazedoxifene tablets are used to treat hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth, especially in the face, neck, and chest) in women who are experiencing menopause (stage of life when menstrual periods become less frequent and stop and women may experience other symptoms and body changes). Estrogen and bazedoxifene tablets are also used to prevent osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause. Estrogen is in a class of medications called hormones and bazedoxifene is in a class of medications called estrogen agonist–antagonists. Estrogen works by replacing estrogen that is normally produced by the body. Bazedoxifene is used to block the action of estrogen on the lining of the uterus, decreasing the risk of overgrowth that may lead to cancer.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Estrogen and bazedoxifene combination comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take estrogen and bazedoxifene at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take estrogen and bazedoxifene exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablet whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Estrogen and bazedoxifene may help to control your symptoms only as long as you continue to take the medication. Do not stop taking estrogen and bazedoxifene without talking to your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
🔔 Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
