Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Estrogens and progestins usually come with patient information or directions. Read them carefully before taking this medicine.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it and do not take or use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day to reduce the possibility of side effects and to allow it to work better.

For patients taking estrogens and progestins by mouth:

  • Nausea may occur during the first few weeks after you start taking estrogens. This effect usually disappears with continued use. If the nausea is bothersome, it can usually be prevented or reduced by taking each dose with food or immediately after food.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For 17 beta-estradiol and norgestimate

  • For oral dosage forms (tablets):
    • For treating a genital skin condition (vaginal or vulvar atrophy), or vasomotor symptoms of menopause:
      • Adults—Oral, 1 mg estradiol for three days followed by 1 mg of estradiol combined with 0.09 mg of norgestimate for three days. The regimen is repeated continuously without interruption.
    • To prevent loss of bone (osteoporosis):
      • Adults—Oral, 1 mg estradiol for three days followed by 1 mg of estradiol combined with 0.09 mg of norgestimate for three days. The regimen is repeated continuously without interruption.

For ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone

  • For oral dosage forms (tablets):
    • For treating vasomotor symptoms of menopause:
      • Adults—Oral, 2.5 mcg (0.025 mg) ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone once daily.
    • To prevent loss of bone (osteoporosis):
      • Adults—Oral, 2.5 mcg (0.025 mg) ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone once daily.

For estradiol and norethindrone

  • For oral dosage forms (tablets):
    • For treating vasomotor symptoms of menopause or treatment of vaginal or vulvar atrophy:
      • Adults—Oral, 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone once daily.
    • To prevent loss of bone (osteoporosis):
      • Adults—Oral, 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone once daily.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.