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Cenestin Side Effects

Generic name: conjugated estrogens

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Cenestin Side Effects associated with conjugated estrogens. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Cenestin.

Applies to conjugated estrogens: intravenous powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Estrogen-Alone Therapy. Endometrial Cancer. There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens.

Adding a progestin to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer.

Adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding.Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia. Estrogen-alone therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia.The Women’s Health Initiative estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 7.1 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg)-alone, relative to placebo.The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study estrogen-alone ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 5.2 years of treatment with daily conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg)-alone, relative to placebo.

It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women.In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of conjugated estrogens and other dosage forms of estrogensEstrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy. Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia. Estrogen plus progestin therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia.The Women’s Health Initiative estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke and myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg), relative to placebo.The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with daily conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg), relative to placebo.

It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women.Breast Cancer. The Women’s Health Initiative estrogen plus progestin substudy also demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer.In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, and other combinations and dosage forms of estrogens and progestins.Estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

Serious side effects of Cenestin

Along with its needed effects, conjugated estrogens (the active ingredient contained in Cenestin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking conjugated estrogens:

Incidence not known

  • abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
  • anxiety
  • backache
  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • bloody or clay-colored stools
  • changes in skin color
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • chills or fever
  • clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
  • cough or sore throat
  • darkened urine
  • difficulty with speaking
  • dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion
  • double vision
  • fainting
  • fast heartbeat
  • fluid-filled skin blisters
  • headache, severe and throbbing
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • heavy bleeding
  • inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
  • irregular heartbeats
  • joint or muscle pain
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of bladder control
  • lump in the breast or under the arm
  • muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
  • muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
  • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
  • painful or tender cysts in the breasts
  • painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
  • rash, hives or welts
  • rectal bleeding
  • red, irritated eyes
  • redness or swelling of the breast
  • sensitivity to the sun
  • sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • stomach discomfort or upset
  • sudden loss of consciousness
  • sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing
  • sweating
  • swelling of the foot or leg
  • tremor
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting of blood
  • yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Cenestin

Some side effects of conjugated estrogens may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • brown, blotchy spots on exposed skin
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • difficulty of wearing contact lenses
  • hair loss in the scalp
  • increase or decrease in weight
  • increased hair growth, especially on the face
  • mental depression
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • pain or swelling at the injection site
  • twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to conjugated estrogens: injectable powder for injection, oral tablet, vaginal cream.

Cardiovascular adverse events

HRT is associated with a 1.3 to 3-fold increased relative risk of developing VTE, i.e., deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. This event is more likely to occur in the first year of using HRT.

The use of estrogen-only and estrogen-progestin therapy is associated with an up to 1.5 fold increased relative risk of ischemic stroke.

The risk of hemorrhagic stroke is not increased during use of HRT. This relative risk is not dependent on age or on duration of use, but as the baseline risk is strongly age-dependent, the overall risk of stroke in women who use HRT will increase with age.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Other

Psychiatric

Respiratory

Hepatic

Hypersensitivity

Ocular

Oncologic

Breast cancer:

An up to 2-fold increased risk of having breast cancer diagnosed is reported in women taking combined estrogen-progestin therapy for more than 5 years.

Any increased risk in users of estrogen-only therapy is substantially lower than that seen in users of estrogen-progestin combinations. The level of risk is dependent on the duration of use.

Endometrial Cancer:

Endometrial cancer risk is about 5 in every 1000 women with a uterus not using HRT.

In women with a uterus, use of estrogen-only HRT is not recommended because it increases the risk of endometrial cancer.

Depending on the duration of estrogen-only use and estrogen dose, the increase in risk of endometrial cancer varied from between 5 and 55 extra cases diagnosed in every 1000 women between the ages of 50 and 65.

Adding a progestin to estrogen-only therapy for at least 12 days per cycle can prevent this increased risk. In the Million Women Study the use of five years of combined HRT did not increase risk of endometrial cancer.

Ovarian cancer:

Long-term use of estrogen-only and combined estrogen-progestin HRT has been associated with a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer. In the Million Women Study 5 years of HRT resulted in 1 extra case per 2500 users.[Ref]

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Further information

Cenestin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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