Estratest

Generic name: esterified estrogens/methyltestosterone [ es-TER-ih-fide-ES-troe-jenz/meth-il-tes-TAHS-ter-ohn ]
Brand name: Examples include Estratest and Estratest H.S.

Estrogen use for more than 1 year has been reported to increase the chance of womb (endometrial) cancer in women who have been through menopause. It also may increase the risk of cancer in the ovary or breast. Take the lowest dose of estrogen that will control your symptoms and only use Estratest for as long as it is needed. Estratest should not be used during pregnancy because it may seriously harm the fetus. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Use of estrogens may increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

Estratest is used for:

Treating symptoms of menopause in patients who do not respond to estrogens used alone. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Estratest includes 2 naturally occurring hormones, an estrogen and an androgen. It is used to treat symptoms of menopause in women whose bodies do not produce enough of these hormones.

Do NOT use Estratest if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Estratest
you have blood clots or a history of blood clots, unexplained or abnormal vaginal bleeding,an estrogen-dependent tumor, breast cancer, severe liver damage, or porphyria (a blood disorder),or if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Estratest:

Some medical conditions may interact with Estratest. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have had an abnormal mammogram (breast x-ray); a lump in your breast; heart problems; lupus; diabetes; endometrial cancer or endometriosis; blood flow problems; liver or kidney problems; gallbladder disease; high cholesterol, lipid, triglyceride, or calcium levels; high blood pressure; yellowing of the skin or eyes; inflammation of the pancreas; or tumors on your uterus; if you are obese; or if you have recently had or will be having surgery
if you smoke cigarettes

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Estratest. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Estratest's effectiveness
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), carbamazepine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), succinylcholine, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Estratest
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Estratest
Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because a paranoid reaction may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Estratest may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Estratest:

Use Estratest as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Take Estratest by mouth with or without food.
Estratest should be used for the shortest possible length of time for you to obtain the benefits. This minimizes the chance of serious side effects from long-term treatment.
If you miss a dose of Estratest, take it as soon as possible that same day. If it is almost time for your next dose or it is the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Estratest.

Important safety information:

Estratest may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Estratest with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Estratest may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or similar problems. The risk may be greater if you smoke.
Follow your doctor's instructions to examine your breasts, and report any lumps to your health care provider immediately.
If you are having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (eg, a long plane flight), notify your doctor 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Special precautions may be needed.
Estratest may cause dark skin patches on your face. Sun exposure may make these patches darker. If patches develop, use sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed to sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths.
Diabetes patients - Estratest may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Lab tests may be performed while you use Estratest. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Estratest should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Estratest if you are pregnant. It may cause birth defects. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. Use nonhormonal birth control measures (eg, condoms) while taking Estratest. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Estratest.

Possible side effects of Estratest:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal skin sensation; acne; bloating; breast enlargement; changes in sex drive; cramps; deepening of voice; fluid retention; headache; loss of scalp hair; nausea; premenstrual syndrome (PMS); spotty dark patches on the face; unusual body hair growth; unusual body movements.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting; breast tenderness or secretion; calf or chest pain; changes in menstrual flow; changes in vision; coughing up blood; dark urine; difficulty wearing contact lenses; dizziness or fainting; facial hair; lumps in the breast; memory loss; mental/mood changes; migraine (sudden severe headache); shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain, swelling, or tenderness; swelling of the fingers, legs, and ankles; vaginal infection; vomiting; weakness on one side of the body; weight changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org ), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include nausea; vomiting; withdrawal bleeding.

Proper storage of Estratest:

Store Estratest at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Estratest out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Estratest, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Estratest is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Estratest or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Estratest. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Estratest. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Estratest.

Issue Date: June 3, 2015

Further information

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