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Prefest

Generic name: estradiol and norgestimateES-tra-DYE-ol-and-nor-JES-ti-mate ]
Drug class: Sex hormone combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 28, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Prefest?

Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone that regulates many processes in the body.

Norgestimate is a form of progesterone, a female hormone important for regulating ovulation and menstruation.

Prefest is a combination medicine used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal changes, and to prevent osteoporosis (bone loss) in menopausal women.

Prefest may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prefest side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Prefest may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of Prefest may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not use Prefest if you have had a hysterectomy, or if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, a bleeding disorder, if you will have major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Do not use if you are pregnant.

Prefest may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Prefest should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to estradiol or norgestimate, if you have had a hysterectomy, or if you have:

Do not use Prefest if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.

Prefest should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Using estradiol may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

Prefest can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take Prefest?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Prefest usually comes in a pack of pills that are different colors. In most cases you will take a pill of one color for 3 days in a row, and then take a pill of the other color for the next 3 days in a row. This cycle is then repeated throughout your treatment.

Each time you start a new pack, start with the first tablet in the first row of pills. Your medicine may come with stickers to mark your weekday schedule on the pack.

Be sure to have a new pack of Prefest ready to start on the day after you have finished an entire pill pack.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Call your doctor at once if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding while using this medicine.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using Prefest.

Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis and have a mammogram every year while using Prefest.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss 2 doses in a row, take the next tablet in order and keep taking only one pill per day. Call your doctor if you miss more than 2 doses of this medicine.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Prefest?

Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using Prefest.

Grapefruit may interact with Prefest and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What other drugs will affect Prefest?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect Prefest. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.