Femhrt contains a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone necessary for many processes in the body. Norethindrone is a form of progesterone. Progesterone is a female hormone important for the regulation of ovulation and menstruation.
Femhrt is used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. It is also used to prevent osteoporosis.
Femhrt may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Femhrt can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.
You should not use this medicine if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack, if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy), or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to birth control pills or other hormones.
Before taking femhrt, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, gallbladder disease, diabetes, asthma, seizures, liver disease, a thyroid disorder, high levels of calcium in your blood, migraine headaches or a history of depression, fibroid tumors in your uterus, or a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram.
Before taking this medicine
Femhrt can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.
You should not use femhrt if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
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abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked;
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a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;
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a history of blood clot or circulation problems;
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if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack;
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if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy); or
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if you have ever had an allergic reaction to birth control pills or other hormones.
To make sure femhrt is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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high blood pressure or heart disease;
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high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, or diabetes;
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asthma;
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
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liver disease;
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a thyroid disorder;
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high levels of calcium in your blood;
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migraine headaches or a history of depression;
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fibroid tumors in your uterus; or
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a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram.
The hormones in femhrt can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use femhrt if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take femhrt?
Use femhrt exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Try to take your medicine at the same time each day.
Use femhrt regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using femhrt.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using femhrt for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using hormones.
Store femhrt at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Avoid smoking while using femhrt. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by taking hormones.
femhrt side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to femhrt: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using femhrt and call your doctor at once if you have:
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a breast lump;
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signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
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signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;
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signs of a blood clot in your leg--pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
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symptoms of a heart attack--chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
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liver or gallbladder problems--pain in your upper right stomach area with nausea and vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common femhrt side effects may include:
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mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
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breast tenderness or swelling;
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freckles or darkening of facial skin;
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increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
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changes in weight or appetite;
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problems with contact lenses;
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runny nose;
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vaginal itching or discharge;
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changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
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headache, dizziness, sleep problems.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect femhrt?
Other drugs may interact with femhrt, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
