Common uses of Climara
This medicine is an estrogen hormone used to provide female hormone when the body no longer produces enough. It is used to help reduce menopause symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, vaginal dryness), to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people at high risk, and to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. If you are only being treated for vaginal menopause symptoms, products applied locally such as vaginal creams, tablets, or rings should be considered before products taken by mouth or absorbed through the skin. There are several medicines (e.g., raloxifene or bisphosphonates) that are safe and effective to prevent or treat bone loss. These medicines should be considered for use before estrogen therapy. If you have other medical conditions as well and are prescribed estrogens for more than one condition, consult your doctor about your treatment plan and its options.
 

Before using Climara
WARNING: Estrogens have been reported to increase the chance of womb (endometrial) cancer in women who have been through menopause, especially in women with a uterus who receive estrogen-only therapy. Estrogens may also increase the risk of cancer of the ovary or breast. Estrogen-containing medicines should not be used to prevent heart disease. Estrogen given in combination with another hormone (progestin) for replacement therapy can infrequently cause heart disease (e.g., heart attacks), stroke, serious blood clots (pulmonary embolism/deep venous thrombosis), dementia, and cancer of the breast. These risks appear to depend on the length of time this medicine is used and the amount of estrogen per dose. Therefore, this medicine should be used for the shortest possible length of time at the lowest effective dose so you obtain the benefits and minimize the chance of serious side effects from long-term treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. If you use this medicine for an extended period of time, you should be evaluated at least once a year. See the CAUTIONS section for details. This medicine is not effective in preventing or treating a tendency toward miscarriages (natural habitual abortion) nor the threat of miscarriage. This medicine must not be used during pregnancy because its use may result in birth defects or cancer later in the child's life (See CAUTIONS). INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone); hydantoins (e.g., phenytoin); warfarin; or medicines which affect certain liver enzymes such as azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), carbamazepine, macrolides (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin), phenobarbital, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), ritonavir, cimetidine, or St. John's wort. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including, a family medical history (especially breast lumps and cancer), asthma, diabetes, seizures, migraine headaches, heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, heart attacks, congestive heart failure), kidney disease, low thyroid hormone, abnormal calcium level in the blood, depression, high blood pressure during pregnancy, yellowing of eyes or skin (cholestatic jaundice) during pregnancy or with past estrogen use, womb problems (e.g., uterine fibroids or endometriosis), cholesterol or lipid problems, gallbladder disease, excessive weight gain, certain blood disorders (porphyria), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, certain cancers (e.g., breast cancer, especially non-metastatic type), blood clots, liver disease, or active/recent stroke or heart attack.
 

Climara Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. One patch is usually applied to the skin and worn for 1 week and then replaced. Be sure to follow your dosing schedule carefully. THIS MEDICINE COMES with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Do not open the sealed pouch containing the patch until you are ready to use it. Open the pouch and remove the patch. Peel off the liner. Apply to an area of clean, dry skin on the lower stomach or the top of the buttocks. DO NOT APPLY the patch to the breast. Do not apply at the waistline because tight clothing may rub the patch off. Do not put the patch on areas where sitting may loosen it. Press firmly in place for 10 seconds. After 1 week, remove the patch, fold the sticky side together and discard properly out of the reach of children or pets. If the area around the patch becomes red, itchy, or irritated, try a new site. If irritation continues or becomes worse, notify your doctor promptly. STORE THIS MEDICINE in the sealed pouch at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. IF YOUR PATCH ACCIDENTALLY FALLS OFF, dry your skin, reapply the patch, and wear for the rest of the 7-day period. IF YOU FORGET TO CHANGE THE PATCH AS SCHEDULED, change it as soon as possible and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
 

Climara Cautions
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at least once a year. You should also have periodic mammograms as determined by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. LIMIT ALCOHOL while using this medicine. Before having surgery or if you require prolonged bedrest, tell the doctor that you take this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE dark skin patches on your face (melasma). Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker. You may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding the use of sunscreens and protective clothing. Some laboratory test results may be affected by this medicine. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. SMOKING WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE may increase your risk blood clots (especially in women over 35 years old). IF THIS MEDICINE IS USED IN CHILDREN, their growth pattern should be monitored as this medicine may stunt their growth. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
 

Possible Climara side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, stomach upset, bloating, nausea, weight changes, increased or decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, or skin redness or irritation at the application site. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience mental or mood changes (e.g., depression, memory loss); calf pain or swelling; sudden severe headache; chest pain; trouble breathing; one-sided weakness; slurred speech; vision changes (e.g., change in contact lens fit, loss of vision); breast lumps; swelling of hands or feet; changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., spotting, breakthrough bleeding or prolonged bleeding); unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor; or yellowing of eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
 

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
 

If you take too much Climara
If overdose is suspected, remove the patch. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea or vomiting, and excessive vaginal bleeding. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.
 

Additional Climara information
A weight-bearing exercise plan and adequate daily intake of calcium and vitamin D are non-drug therapies that can help prevent bone loss. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more details. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.