Drospirenone/estradiol (By mouth)

Introduction:

Drospirenone (droe-SPYE-re-none), Estradiol (es-tra-DYE-ol)

Treats some of the symptoms of menopause in women who still have a uterus. These symptoms may include hot flashes, or dryness and itching in your vagina. This medicine contains an estrogen hormone.

Brand Name(s):

Angeliq

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to drospirenone or estradiol. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor. You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a problem with blood clots, or if you have had a stroke or heart attack in the past 12 months. You should not use this medicine if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a problem with your adrenal glands, or a history of cancer.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Tell your doctor if you are also using pain or arthritis medicine (sometimes called "NSAIDs"). This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, and Motrin®.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you use a potassium supplement, or a diuretic ("water pill") such as spironolactone, triamterene, or Aldactone®.
  • Your doctor should know if you use an ACE inhibitor such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Lotrel®, Mavik®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Zestoretic®, or Zestril®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast feeding, or if you have endometriosis. Tell your doctor if you have asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, lupus, liver disease, or a thyroid disorder. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or congestive heart failure.
  • This medicine will not protect you from developing heart disease. In fact, hormone replacement can cause serious side effects such as heart attack or stroke. You are much more likely to have these side effects if you smoke cigarettes or are overweight, or if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high blood cholesterol. Talk with your doctor if you think you might be at risk.
  • This medicine is not meant to be used by women who have had a hysterectomy to remove the uterus.
  • Hormone replacement may increase your risk of dementia, gallbladder disease, breast cancer, uterine cancer, or ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about these risks.
  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. You should also have regular breast exams and mammograms while you are using this medicine.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
  • Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
  • Lumps in your breasts.
  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Back pain or body aches.
  • Breast changes, pain, swelling, tenderness, or nipple discharge.
  • Changes in skin color or hair growth.
  • Cold or flu symptoms.
  • Headache, dizziness, depression.
  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting.
  • Vaginal discharge.
  • Weight gain around your waist.
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