Estring Vagl

This medication is a female hormone (estrogen). It is used by women to help reduce vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause (such as vaginal dryness/burning/itching, painful urination, frequent urges to urinate). These symptoms are caused by the body making less estrogen. When treating only vaginal symptoms of menopause, products applied directly inside the vagina (such as this medication) should be used first. Estrogens that are taken by mouth, absorbed through the skin, or injected may have greater risks of side effects due to more estrogen being absorbed.

How to use Estring Vagl
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. Learn how to use this medication properly. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Wash and dry your hands before handling the ring. Insert the ring high into the vagina as directed. The ring is usually left in place for 90 days and then removed and replaced with a new ring if treatment is to be continued. Do not leave a ring in place for longer than 90 days. Follow the dosing schedule carefully.
If the ring is put in properly, you should not be able to feel it and it will not interfere with sexual intercourse. If you are able to feel the ring or feel slight discomfort from the ring, it may mean that the ring is not high enough. Gently push the ring higher with your finger.
If the ring falls out of the vagina, rinse the ring with lukewarm water and put it back into the vagina. Contact your doctor if the ring falls out often.
The ring is removed by hooking your finger through the ring and gently pulling it out. Contact your doctor if you have trouble removing the ring. Discard the used ring in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet.
It may take 2 to 3 weeks before you get the full benefit of this medication. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

See also Warning section.
Nausea/vomiting, bloating, increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, headache, or weight changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as depression, memory loss), breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged/recurrent bleeding), unusual vaginal irritation/itching/odor/discharge, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, swelling hands/ankles/feet, increased thirst/urination.
This medication may rarely cause serious problems from blood clots (such as heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism). Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects, including: chest/jaw/left arm pain, unusual sweating, sudden/severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, sudden vision changes (such as partial/complete blindness), pain/redness/swelling of legs, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting.
Vaginal rings have rarely caused a very serious (possibly fatal) bacterial infection (toxic shock syndrome-TSS). Remove this product and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of toxic shock syndrome, including: high fever, sudden dizziness/fainting, unusual muscle pain, sunburn-like rash, diarrhea.
A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using estradiol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, certain cancers (such as breast cancer, cancer of the uterus/ovaries), blood clots, stroke, heart disease (such as heart attack), liver disease, kidney disease, family medical history (especially breast lumps, cancer, blood clots, angioedema), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels, obesity, lupus, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), mineral imbalance (low or high level of calcium in the blood), a certain hormone problem (hypoparathyroidism), uterus problems (such as fibroids, endometriosis), gallbladder disease, asthma, seizures, migraine headaches, mental/mood disorders (such as dementia, depression), a certain blood disorder (porphyria), frequent vaginal infections.
Do not smoke or use tobacco. Estrogens combined with smoking further increases your risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attack, especially in women older than 35.
Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery, or if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using an estrogen product. You may need to stop this medication for a time or take special precautions.
This drug may cause blotchy, dark areas of the skin on the face (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
If you get a vaginal infection while using this ring, it is recommended that you remove the ring and resume treatment only after the infection has been treated. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
This medication passes into breast milk. It may reduce the quality and amount of breast milk produced. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole), fulvestrant, raloxifene, tamoxifen, toremifene.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including metyrapone test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe nausea/vomiting, unusual vaginal bleeding.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. You should have regular complete physical exams (for example, once a year) which include laboratory and medical tests (such as blood pressure, breast exam/mammogram, pelvic exam, pap smear) to monitor your progress and check for side effects. Follow your doctor\'s instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps right away. Consult your doctor for more details.
Preventing or controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can help to reduce your chances of heart disease and stroke. Lifestyle changes that can help to control or prevent these diseases include reducing stress, eating a low fat/salt diet, losing weight if overweight, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking. Keep your mind active with mental exercises (such as reading, solving crossword puzzles) to help prevent dementia. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

MISSED DOSE:
Not applicable. However, if you have not inserted a new ring after 90 days, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away to establish a new dosing schedule.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature. Do not remove the ring from the pouch until ready for use. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised April 2011. Copyright(c) 2011 First Databank, Inc.