First Estrogen-Only Low Dose Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Available For Hysterectomised Women

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 10 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has launched Premarin*0.3mg (conjugated estrogens), the first low dose estrogen-only HRT, which contains less than half the estrogen i.e. 0.3mg of standard Premarin* 0.625mg (conjugated estrogens).1 This will give healthcare professionals a new option in treating the menopausal symptoms of 1 in 5 women who undergo hysterectomy in the UK before the age of 52.2 Until now, only unhysterectomised women treated with combined progestogen/estrogen HRT, have had a low dose option.

HRT has been shown to be effective in relieving debilitating menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.3 Current guidelines4 recommend that all women going through the menopause who are seeking treatment should be offered a choice of HRT. Treatment with HRT should aim to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration and should be reviewed on an annual basis in light of any new knowledge and changes in women's risk factors. Because every woman is different, treatment should be tailored to an individual's need.

"For the hysterectomised woman the availability of new low dose Premarin 0.3mg is a welcome addition. This new low dose option gives practitioners more flexibility in treating these women and allows us to tailor treatment to their individual needs," said Dr John Stevenson, Consultant Physician, Imperial College London.

When the ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy, women will experience an immediate menopause regardless of age. If the ovaries are left intact, there is a 50% chance of the ovaries failing within five years of a hysterectomy resulting in menopause.1

About Wyeth

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE:WYE), has leading products in the areas of women's health care, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, haemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products. Wyeth has a diverse portfolio of biopharmaceutical products. Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and healthcare products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and nonprescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

*Premarin is a Wyeth Trademark

References

1 Premarin 0.3mg. Summary of Product Characteristics. November 2006

2 Management of the Menopause: The Handbook. 4th edition. Rees M, Purdie DW. BMS Publications Ltd and RSM Press Ltd 2006

3 Utian H, Shoupe D, et al. Relief of vasomotor symptoms and vaginal atrophy with lower doses of conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Fertil Steril 2001;75:1065-1079

4 Consensus Conference on Hormone Replacement Therapy. Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. October 2003

http://www.wyeth.com