Zumenon

What is it?

An hormonal, oestrogen prpearation available as film-coated tablets in 2 strengths, both containing oestradiol. White, contain 1 mg and red, contain 2mg, both marked S and 379.

Medical Uses

Symptoms of the menopause, prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Dosage

Women, symptoms, start with 1mg each day then increase to 2mg strength, if necessary, but reducing again to 1mg strength as soon as possible. Commence on fifth day of menstruation (any time if absent). Prevention of osteoporosis, 2mg each day continuously. In women with intact womb, a progestogen should be taken for 10 to 14 days of each month.

Special Care

High blood pressure, severe kidney disease receiving dialysis, Raynaud's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, varicose veins, elevated levels of prolactin (a hormone) in the blood (hyperprolactinemia). Risk of thrombosis increases with smoking, age and obesity. Blood pressure, breasts and pelvic organs should be checked during period of treatment.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, heart and circulatory diseases, angina, sickle cell anaemia, pulmonary hypertension. Also, hormone-dependent cancers, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, chorea, liver disease, history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy, infectious hepatitis, Dublin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, recent trophoblastic disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, tetracyclines, primidone, chloral hydrate, glutethimide, phenylbutazone, rifampicin, griseofulvin, ampicillin, dichloralphenazone, ethosuximide, barbiturates, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Feeling of bloatedness due to fluid retention, leg pains, breast enlargement, erosion of cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal discharge, loss of libido, nausea, brown patches on skin (chloasma). Stop drug immediately in event of pregnancy.