|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (dye
en ES
trole) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Ortho®-Dienestrol
Vaginal |
|
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Estrogen Derivative |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to another estrogen, dienestrol, or any other
part of the medicine.
- If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
- If you are pregnant or
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- May be used vaginally as a cream to treat irritation, dryness, and
itching in the vagina caused by
menopause.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Dienestrol acts as an estrogen replacement to treat vaginal
symptoms.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Use the cream vaginally
only.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Insert vaginally a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase
risk of breast cancer.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart or high blood pressure. Talk
with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have ever had any blood clots in your
legs, arms, or lungs.
- Do not use if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been
examined by your healthcare provider.
- There may be a higher risk of endometrial/breast cancer. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Do not use if you have had breast or uterine cancer or someone in your
family (sister, mother) has had breast cancer.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust during use of medicine and for 1 month after stopping it.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Breast enlargement/tenderness.
- For women, vaginal bleeding (breakthrough bleeding, spotting) may
occur.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Periodic breast (monthly self-exams) and gynecologic exams are
important.
- Follow diet plan (calcium supplementation) and exercise program as
recommended by healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare provider at least every year. Talk about
duration of treatment.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- For women, unusual vaginal bleeding. This includes lots of bleeding,
spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Swelling/pain of a leg or arm, sudden shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, chest pain.
- A lump in the breast.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Read the package insert for more details (given with the medicine).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
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|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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