What Are the Side Effects of Prempro?

Prempro is a brand name for a prescription oral medication containing estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate that doctors prescribe for the relief of severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes or dizziness, to prevent osteoporosis and treat vaginal atrophy. Despite its effectiveness at raising estrogen levels, Prempro poses a risk for side effects in some women.

Types of Side Effects

• The most common side effects of Prempro include abdominal or back pain, headaches, an increased incidence of bacterial infections, nausea, pharyngitis, itching and breast pain or tenderness.

Features

• The most common side effects of Prempro occur in 10 to 36 percent of users, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration clinical trials published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Drug Interactions

• Taking medications such as the anticonvulsant felbamate, the acne medication isotretinoin, the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel or the lung disease treatment theophylline poses an increased risk for side effects from Prempro, cautions the Mayo Clinic.

Risks

• Like other estrogen supplements, Prempro increases your risk of heart attack, blood clots, stroke, dementia and the development of estrogen-dependence tumors like breast or endometrial cancers. In addition, Prempro has the potential to cause gallbladder disease, increased blood calcium levels and loss of vision, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Considerations

• Prempro is not safe for use during pregnancy. If you have a history of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, kidney disease, lupus, benign liver tumors, migraines, blood clots, cancer, fibroids, gallstones, pancreatitis, hypothyroidism or vision loss, it may not be safe for you to take Prempro, cautions the Mayo Clinic.