Estrocon (Conjugated Estrogens 0.625mg) Tablets

Estrocon general information

What is Estrocon used for?

Estrogen is the female hormone produced by the ovaries that transforms the girl into the woman and plays a central role in all stages of female reproduction, along with other female hormones like progesterone.  Estrogen stimulates the development of female sexual characteristics including breast development and body shape.  It regulates the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation, also stimulates the thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) and thickening of vaginal tissue and its secretions.  It also plays other essential roles including regulating lipid metabolism and it supports bone density throughout the fertile years of a woman’s life.  As menopause approaches, estrogen production starts to slow down and eventually, no more is produced by the ovaries.  Menstruation ceases and this lack of estrogen brings with it a host of menopausal symptoms, some mild and some quite severe.  For some women, although a natural part of life, menopause can cause some severe problems.  Estrocon tablets 0.625mg are a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to substitute for lack of estrogen production by the ovaries in postmenopausal women. 

Symptoms of menopause

Symptoms associated with low estrogen in menopause include hot flashes caused by sudden dilating of surface blood vessels, when this happens at night, they cause night sweats.  Vaginal thinning and dryness known as atrophic vaginitis can cause discomfort or pain with sex and recurrent urine infections.  Other signs of menopause are headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Loss of bone density is another problem related to loss of estrogen and can lead to osteoporosis, which makes the bones brittle so that they fracture more easily.  Estrocon tablets relieve symptoms of menopause and also help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) to reduce the risk of fracture. 

hypogonadism

Estrocon tablets are also used in other situations where estrogen levels are too low, such as failure of the ovaries to produce sufficient estrogen because they are underdeveloped (hypogonadism), which causes delayed puberty.  If the ovaries are surgically removed, estrogen replacement is necessary to restore estrogen levels. 

Transgender hormone therapy

Estrogen is an essential component in transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals as part of a gender reassignment program.  Estrocon tablets help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, to promote the feminisation process, such as breast development and also inducing metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape.

How does Estrocon work?

Estrocon tablets 0.625mg contain a mixture of various forms of conjugated estrogen that are used to provide hormone replacement therapy and substitute for lack of estrogen in postmenopausal women.  This mixture of estrogens offers a natural source of hormones purified from pregnant mare urine. 

Conjugated estrogens are isolated hormones that undergo a chemical reaction to make them more soluble as sulphate salts.  This mixture contains estradiol, which is the most active form of estrogen.  Other types of estrogen that still exist post-menopause include estrone, which is produced by conversion from androgens (predominantly a male hormone but found in small amounts in women) in other tissues like fat cells.  Estrone does not have much activity, which is why lack of estradiol is responsible for most menopausal symptoms.

Conjugated estrogens in Estrocon in tablets 0.625mg work by passing through the cell membrane and binding to specific receptors inside the cells of its target tissues, including the ovaries, uterus, bone and breast tissue.  Estrogen attached to its receptor then interacts directly with the DNA and promotes the expression (activation) of specific genes to make proteins needed for estrogen-dependent processes in those tissues, such as breast cell growth, improved lubrication of vaginal cells and increased bone density. 

What does Estrocon contain?

Estrocon tablets 0.625mg contain the active ingredient conjugated estrogens, which is a mixture of conjugated equine oestrogens, principally of the sodium salts of water-soluble sulfate esters of oestrone, equilin, and 17 alpha-dihydroequilin, together with smaller amounts of 17 alpha-oestradiol, equilenin, and 17 alpha-dihydroequilenin, 17 beta-dihydroequilin, 17 beta-dihydroequilenin, 17 beta-oestradiol and delta 8, 9-dihydroestrone. 

Each tablet of Estrocon tablets 0.625mg also contains maize starch, lactose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, povidone, magnesium stearate, purified talc, titanium dioxide, macrogol 6000, sunset yellow colour, indigo carmine lake, erythrosine red.

What are the side effects of Estrocon?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Estrocon, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Estrocon include breast pain, tenderness, or swelling hair loss, joint pain and leg cramps, depression, abnormal uterine bleeding/spotting, changes in weight.

What are the health risks of Estrocon?

Long-term use of estrogen-only HRT medication like Estrocon tablets 0.625mg does have risks attached, and it is, therefore, important to consider the risks versus the benefits.  There is an increased risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer; also stroke and blood clot formation causing deep vein thrombosis.

When should Estrocon not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Estrocon tablets 0.625mg so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Estrocon you should consider the following before taking Estrocon:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Estrocon?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your liver or had a liver disease?
• Have you had an estrogen-dependent cancer including cancer of the breast or endometrium?
• Have you had any condition caused by a blood clot such as deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)?
• Do you have a heart condition like angina and have you ever had cardiovascular disease, including a heart attack or stroke or uncontrolled high blood pressure?

What medications interact with Estrocon?

Some medicines interact with Estrocon tablets 0.625mg and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Estrocon or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine, antifungals like ketoconazole, anti-infectives like rifampicin and clarithromycin, nevirapine and efavirenz for HIV, thyroid replacement hormones or preparations containing St John's Wort. 

If other medications may interact with Estrocon, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Estrocon be taken and for how long?

You should take Estrocon tablets 0.625mg with a glass of water once daily, with or without food, preferably at the same time each day, until all 28 tablets have been taken.  When you have finished each pack, start the next pack immediately.  You can start taking Estrocon tablets 0.625mg tablets on any convenient day unless you are still having menstrual bleeding, in which case take the first tablet on day 5 of bleeding.  Each pack of Estrocon tablets 0.625mg is a calendar pack of 28 tablets. 

You should continue to take your Estrocon tablets 0.625mg for as long as your doctor recommends. 

Unless you have had your uterus removed, you will probably be taking a form of progesterone as well as Estrocon.

Missed dose of Estrocon

If you miss a dose of Estrocon tablets 0.625mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Estrocon be stored?

You should store your Estrocon tablets 0.625mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.