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[aspie65]

I have just been told by Pfizer that they will no longer make Prempak C.  Does anyone know if another company will take over production or failing that what  my best alternative is?  I have not reacted well to non conjugated estrogens in the past so would be looking for a conjugated estrogen (which I know is out of fashion) based product.  Help!

[Hurdity]

Hi aspie65 - sorry I don't know which products are going to continue to be made. The only other alternative is Premarin (oestrogen only) and Provera (MPA) taken separately - if Premarin is still going to be in production?

You may well find that you are OK with estradiol now that time has past - it is after all the same oestrogen that your body produces - but it might take a while to adjust to getting oestrogen differently. The main problem is usually with the progestogens but Indivina is a continuous combined HRT which contains the same progestogen (combined with estradiol valerate - which converts to estradiol in the body).

Hurdity x

[aspie65]

Thank you so much for this information.

[Katia]

Aspir65, I. Not sure if you'll see this as it was a while ago, but could I ask why you didn't react good to non conjugated estrogens?  I didn't react good to estrogel. I was great with the pill, which was synthetic. I'm currently in Premarin. So far it's good, apart from some spots and I feel my mood lower this week mom hoping it's my cycle

[Viv707]

I'm 66 and have been happily taking Prempak for 15 years. Like others on here I am devastated to find it's been discontinued. I've contacted Pfizer and the only reason given is falling profits, nothing to do with the drugs themselves. I haven't tried to stop HRT as I dread those symptoms returning. I still have my womb and suffered from bad depression due to the menopause. I've tried HRT with no bleed but I just had spotting all month so stuck to Prempak.

The Dr put me on Elleste Duet. I immediately got tender breasts which messed up sex big time! After 4 days I ditched them and went back to some Prempak I had left. They have now run out. I've now got Femoston but am worried about getting the same side effects.

I've scrutinised all the sequential HRT and they all seem to contain estradiol whereas Prempak contained conjugated oestrogen of equine origin. I've scoured the internet including other countries but it really has been discontinued. I sent Pfizer a strongly worded email about messing with women's wellbeing. I also asked them how men dependent on viagra or other sildenafil would feel if that suddenly got discontinued? It wouldn't happen obviously!

Has anyone found an alternative to Prempak? What about Premarin and Provera which Hurdity mentioned?

Yours in desperation. Viv x

[Hurdity]

Hi Viv707

 

Sorry to hear your dilemma and desperation! As a result of research, there is now a general move towards "body-identical" oestrogen ie estradiol - because it is more "natural" and I presume that is why the conjugated equine oestrogens are making less profit, because it is being prescribed less as these other products become available and more widely prescribed? I think one or two members have tried the Premarin and Provera instead of Prempak or Premique - maybe start a new thread with this in the title to catch their attention? I can't remember who now.

Ideally at your age I think the advice is to use transdermal HRT (due to possible increased stroke risk) although not sure how this advice stands with a woman who has been taking the same HRT for 15 years? As stroke risk increases with age I presume it would also depend on whether you have any other risk factors eg body weight, smoking, alcohol intake etc. I hope you don't mind my mentioning this but the fact that you are having to change HRT is an opportunity maybe to change to something thought to be lower risk in older women? This is off the top of my head by the way ie from what I have remembered from reading around the subject! I can find some links to research etc if you would like?

Hurdity x

[Viv707]

Thanks for prompt reply Hurdity. I see what you mean about estradiol. I will have to see how it goes with Femoston.
I am low stroke risk as slim, non smoker, little alcohol, no family history. I'm not sure about patches but may be worth a try if HRT pills aren't suitable.
How does it work with Premarin and Provera? Do you take them together or 2 weeks one then the next for the last 2 weeks?

I would welcome any research. Could you start a new thread about this as you're obviously pretty experienced on this website.

Thanks for your advice.