drospirenone and estradiol

What is the most important information I should know about drospirenone and estradiol?

What is drospirenone and estradiol?

Drospirenone is a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstruation.

Estradiol is a female hormone involved in development and maintenance of the female reproductive system.

Drospirenone and estradiol is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. This medicine is for use only if you have a uterus (if you have not had a hysterectomy).

Drospirenone and estradiol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking drospirenone and estradiol?

• unusual vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked;
• a bleeding disorder;
• coronary artery disease;
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• an adrenal gland disorder;
• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina; or
• if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy).

Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• a thyroid disorder;
• gallbladder disease;
• jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;
• high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• asthma;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• migraine headaches;
• lupus;
• endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
• high levels of calcium or potassium in your blood, or low sodium levels;
• hereditary angioedema (an immune system disorder); or
• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

How should I take drospirenone and estradiol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine at the same time each day.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using drospirenone and estradiol.

Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis, and have regular mammograms while using this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking drospirenone and estradiol?

Grapefruit may interact with drospirenone and estradiol and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of drospirenone and estradiol?

• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot --sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;
• sudden vision loss;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior;
• unusual vaginal bleeding;
• a lump in your breast; or
• high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.

Common side effects may include:

• headache, mood changes;
• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual periods, breakthrough bleeding;
• breast pain;
• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain; or
• fluid retention (swelling, rapid weight gain).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect drospirenone and estradiol?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect drospirenone and estradiol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about drospirenone and estradiol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.02. Revision date: 9/6/2018.