Ogen Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Estropipate

Estropipate is a form of estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone that are necessary for many processes in the body. ESTROPIPATE (Ogen®, Ortho-Est®) tablets contain estrogen hormones. It is essential for maintaining normal female functions and are normally produced by the ovaries. After menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of these hormones. Estrogens can help relieve symptoms of the menopause including such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness and irritation. It may also help improve female functions in women with hormonal imbalance or problems with their ovaries.

Ogen Dosage

• For Hot flashes and night sweats, if you are taking ogen tablets, then the usual dose ranges from one .625 tablet to two 2.5 tablets per day. Tablets should be taken in cycles, according to your doctor's instructions.
• If you are taking Ortho-Est tablets, then the usual dose ranges from half a tablet to 4 tablets per day of Ortho-Est 1.25 or 1 to 8 tablets of Ortho-Est .625. Tablets should be taken in cycles, according to your doctor's instructions.
• If you are using Ogen Vaginal Cream, then the usual dose is 2 to 4 grams daily. Cream should be used in cycles, and only for limited periods of time.

Uses of Ogen

• Estropipate is used to treat symptoms of menopause; deficiency in ovary function including underdevelopment of female sexual characteristics and some types of infertility; some types of breast cancer in men and in postmenopausal women; degeneration of the vagina and urethra; and prostate cancer.
• It is also used to prevent osteoporosis.

Side Effects of Ogen

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Ogen. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal cramps
• bloating
• changes in vaginal bleeding patterns
• dizziness
• enlargement of benign tumors
• fluid retention
• headache
• inability to use contact lenses
• menstrual changes
• nausea
• skin irritation
• vaginal yeast infection
• weight gain or loss
• yellow eyes and skin

Warnings and precautions before taking Ogen:

• Women who take estrogen after menopause are more likely to develop gallbladder disease.
• Estrogen therapy may cause uterine bleeding or breast pain.
• It may also cause fluid retention in some people. If you have asthma, epilepsy, migraine, or heart or kidney disease, then you should use this medication with care.
• Ogen also increases the risk of blood clots. These blood clots can cause stroke, heart attack, or other serious disorders.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Ogen, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Ogen medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Ogen with the following:-

• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• Blood thinners such as Coumadin
• Epilepsy drugs (Tegretol, Dilantin, others)
• Insulin
• Tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil, Tofranil, others)
• Rifampin (Rifadin)

Overdose

When you are taking Ogen, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a Ogen overdose may include:

• Nausea
• vomiting
• withdrawal bleeding