Vagifem

Why should Vagifem not be prescribed?

Do not use Vagifem if there is any chance that you have breast cancer or any other cancer stimulated by estrogen. Avoid Vagifem if there is a possibility that you are pregnant. Do not use Vagifem if estrogen products have given you clotting problems in the past, or if you currently have phlebitis or other clotting disorders. Also avoid Vagifem if you have unexplained genital bleeding or the metabolic disorder known as porphyria, and do not use this product if it causes an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Vagifem

Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with a slight increase in the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood clots, gallbladder disease, excessive calcium levels, and cancer of the uterus. There is also mounting evidence that it may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Because of these possibilities, get in touch with your doctor right away if you develop any of the following:

• Abdominal pain, tenderness, or swelling
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
• Breast lumps
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty with speech
• Dizziness or fainting
• Pain in your chest or calves
• Severe headache or vomiting
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Vision changes
• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Because estrogen can affect the ability to handle blood sugar, diabetic women should use this product with caution. Be alert, too, for signs of fluid retention, which can be especially harmful for people with asthma, epilepsy, migraine, a heart condition, or a kidney disorder. Estrogen has also been known to trigger huge spikes in triglyceride levels, leading to problems in the pancreas.

If you have a liver condition, use Vagifem with caution and make sure your doctor is aware of the situation. Women with liver problems have difficulty processing estrogen.

Any vaginal infection you may have should be cleared up before you begin using Vagifem.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Vagifem