Climara vs. Premarin

Climara (estradiol) Transdermal System and Premarin (conjugated estrogens) are forms of the estrogen hormone used to treat vasomotor, vulvar, and vaginal atrophy symptoms due to menopause, hypoestrogenism, and to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Conjugated estrogens such as Premarin are sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men.

Side effects of Climara and Premarin that are similar include skin color changes such as freckles or darkening of facial skin, abdominal pain, stomach upset or cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, headache, weight changes, increased facial hair, thinning scalp hair, and changes in your menstrual periods.

Side effects of Climara that are different from Premarin include skin irritation, acne, constipation, nipple discharge, back pain, joint pain, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat), and break-through bleeding.

Side effects of Premarin that are different from Climara include appetite changes, problems with contact lenses, vaginal itching or discharge, decreased sex drive, nervousness, dizziness, and tired feeling.

Both Climara and Premarin may interact with blood thinners, seizure medicines, and ketoconazole or other azole antifungals.

Climara may also interact with St. John's wort, ritonavir, and erythromycin.

Premarin may also interact with thyroid medications, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, rifampin, barbiturates, and antidepressants.

Side effects of Climara include:

• skin irritation,
• acne or skin color changes,
• abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• constipation bloating,
• breast swelling and tenderness,
• nipple discharge,
• headache,
• weight changes,
• increased facial hair,
• thinning scalp hair,
• back pain,
• joint pain,
• cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat),
• changes in your menstrual periods, or
• break-through bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Climara Transdermal System including:

• mental/mood changes (such as depression, memory loss),
• breast lumps,
• unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting, prolonged or recurrent bleeding),
• increased or new vaginal irritation/itching/odor/discharge,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• dark urine,
• swelling hands/ankles/feet, or
• increased thirst or urination.

Common side effects of Premarin include:

• stomach upset or cramps,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• breast tenderness or swelling,
• headache,
• weight or appetite changes,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• problems with contact lenses,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• changes in your menstrual periods,
• decreased sex drive,
• nervousness,
• dizziness, or
• tired feeling.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Premarin including:

• mental/mood changes (such as depression, memory loss),
• breast lumps,
• unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or recurrent bleeding),
• increased or new vaginal irritation/itching/odor/discharge,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• dark urine,
• swelling hands/ankles/feet, or
• increased thirst or
• urination.

Climara (estradiol) Transdermal System is an estrogen hormone used to treat vasomotor, vulvar, and vaginal atrophy symptoms due to menopause, hypoestrogenism, and to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Climara Transdermal System should not be used to prevent cardiovascular disease or dementia.

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) is a female hormone used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. Premarin is also used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and replace estrogen in women with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen in the body. Conjugated estrogens such as Premarin are sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men.

St. John's wort, blood thinners, ritonavir, carbamazepine, erythromycin, and Ketozole or other azole antifungals may interact with Climara. Tell your doctor all medications you take.

Premarin may interact with blood thinners, thyroid medications, insulin or oral diabetes medicine, rifampin, ketoconazole or itraconazole, seizure medicines, barbiturates, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Premarin must not be used during pregnancy.

The recommended dosage of Climara is 6.5 cm2 (0.025 mg/day) applied to the skin once a week.

Women should be started at 0.3 mg Premarin daily. Dosage adjustment may be made based on patient response.