Healthopedia.com - Your Health
Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      


Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Estrogens

Estrogens (Systemic)

Description and Brand Names | Before Using | Proper Use | Precautions | Side Effects | Additional Information


Category
  • Antineoplastic—Conjugated Estrogens; Diethylstilbestrol; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estradiol valerate; Estrone; Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Estrogen, systemic—Conjugated Estrogens; Diethylstilbestrol; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estrone; Estropipate; Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Osteoporosis prophylactic—Conjugated Estrogens; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estropipate
  • Ovarian hormone therapy—Conjugated Estrogens; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estropipate
Description

Estrogens (ES-troe-jenz) are female hormones. They are produced by the body and are necessary for the normal sexual development of the female and for the regulation of the menstrual cycle during the childbearing years.

The ovaries begin to produce less estrogen after menopause (the change of life). This medicine is prescribed to make up for the lower amount of estrogen. Estrogens help relieve signs of menopause, such as hot flashes and unusual sweating, chills, faintness, or dizziness.

Estrogens are prescribed for several reasons:

  • to provide additional hormone when the body does not produce enough of its own, such as during menopause or when female puberty (development of female sexual organs) does not occur on time. Other conditions include a genital skin condition (vulvar atrophy), inflammation of the vagina (atrophic vaginitis), or ovary problems (female hypogonadism or failure or removal of both ovaries).
  • to help prevent weakening of bones (osteoporosis) in women past menopause.
  • in the treatment of selected cases of breast cancer in men and women.
  • in the treatment of cancer of the prostate in men.

Estrogens may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

There is no medical evidence to support the belief that the use of estrogens will keep the patient feeling young, keep the skin soft, or delay the appearance of wrinkles. Nor has it been proven that the use of estrogens during menopause will relieve emotional and nervous symptoms, unless these symptoms are caused by other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or hot flushes.

Estrogens are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

    Oral
  • Conjugated Estrogens
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Diethylstilbestrol
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Esterified Estrogens
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Estradiol
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Estropipate
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
    Parenteral
  • Conjugated Estrogens
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Diethylstilbestrol
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Estradiol
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Estrone
    • Injection (U.S.)
    Topical
  • Estradiol
    • Emulsion (U.S.)
    • Transdermal system (skin patch) (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Alora 4
  • Aquest 5
  • Climara 4
  • Delestrogen 4
  • depGynogen 4
  • Depo-Estradiol 4
  • Depogen 4
  • Dioval 40 4
  • Dioval XX 4
  • Dura-Estrin 4
  • Duragen-20 4
  • E-Cypionate 4
  • Estinyl 7
  • Estrace 4
  • Estraderm 4
  • Estragyn 5 5
  • Estragyn LA 5 4
  • Estra-L 40 4
  • Estrasorb 4
  • Estratab 3
  • Estro-Cyp 4
  • Estrofem 4
  • Estro-L.A. 4
  • Estrone 5 5
  • FemPatch 4
  • Gynogen L.A. 20 4
  • Gynogen L.A. 40 4
  • Kestrone-5 5
  • Menaval-20 4
  • Menest 3
  • Ogen .625 6
  • Ogen 1.25 6
  • Ogen 2.5 6
  • Ortho-Est .625 6
  • Ortho-Est 1.25 6
  • Premarin 1
  • Premarin Intravenous 1
  • Stilphostrol 2
  • Valergen-10 4
  • Valergen-20 4
  • Valergen-40 4
  • Vivelle 4
  • Vivelle-Dot 4
  • Wehgen 5

In Canada—

  • C.E.S. 1
  • Delestrogen 4
  • Estinyl 7
  • Estrace 4
  • Estradot 4
  • Estraderm 4
  • Femogex 4
  • Honvol 2
  • Ogen 6
  • Premarin 1
  • Premarin Intravenous 1
  • Stilbestrol 2
  • Vivelle 4

Other commonly used names are:

  • DES
  • Fosfestrol
  • Oestradiol
  • Oestrone
  • Piperazine estrone sulfate
  • Stilboestrol

Note:

For quick reference, the following estrogens are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

This information applies to the following medicines
1. Conjugated Estrogens (CON-ju-gate-ed ES-troe-jenz)§
2. Diethylstilbestrol (dye-eth-il-stil-BES-trole)
3. Esterified Estrogens (es-TAIR-i-fyed ES-troe-jenz)
4. Estradiol (es-tra-DYE-ole)‡
5. Estrone (ES-trone)†‡
6. Estropipate (es-troe-PIH-pate)‡
7. Ethinyl Estradiol (ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
† Not commercially available in Canada
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada

   

Next section

   

Estrogens: Before Using

Date Revised: 12/17/2003









Content provided by Thomson MICROMEDEX
Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer
Copyright © 2009 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Copyright © 2009 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us

HONcode accreditation seal.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009