Duavee (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain conditions, including vasomotor symptoms related to menopause. Duavee comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Duavee is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following conditions in females with a uterus*:

Duavee contains two drugs: conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene. Conjugated estrogens belong to a drug class called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Bazedoxifene belongs to the drug class known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Duavee is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Duavee, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Duavee, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Duavee provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Duavee, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. Also, Duavee is not approved in females who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Duavee is only approved in females with a uterus.

Below is information about Duavee’s form, strength, and dosage.

Duavee form

Duavee comes as an oral tablet.

Duavee strength

Duavee contains two medications. It comes in one strength of 0.45 milligrams (mg) conjugated estrogens and 20 mg bazedoxifene.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for treating vasomotor symptoms due to menopause

Doctors may prescribe Duavee to treat vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, due to menopause.

For this use, you’ll take one tablet once every day.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for preventing osteoporosis after menopause

Duavee is also approved to help prevent osteoporosis after menopause. The recommended dosage of Duavee is one tablet taken once every day.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Long-term treatment

Duavee is taken short term to treat vasomotor symptoms related to menopause and to help prevent osteoporosis. Doctors prescribe Duavee only for as long as you are having symptoms associated with these conditions.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Duavee.

Duavee comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.

Duavee comes in a blister pack. Do not remove the tablet until you are ready to take it.

It may be helpful to take Duavee around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Duavee can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to use Duavee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss a dose of Duavee, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Duavee than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Duavee can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • extreme tiredness
  • breast tenderness
  • dizziness
  • withdrawal bleeding

If you take more than the recommended amount of Duavee

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Duavee. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Duavee.

Is the dosage of Duavee similar to the dosage of Fosamax?

Yes, the dosages are similar. Duavee is approved to treat vasomotor symptoms related to menopause and to help prevent osteoporosis. Fosamax is approved to help and treat prevent osteoporosis and treat Paget’s disease of the bone.

Duavee and Fosamax are both available as oral tablets that are typically taken once every day. However, Fosamax also comes as an oral solution, and that form of the drug is taken once weekly.

Unlike Duavee, Fosamax does not contain estrogen. Fosamax is a bisphosphonate, which works differently than Duavee to help prevent osteoporosis.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Duavee to start working?

Duavee starts to work after your first dose.

If you’re taking Duavee to help treat vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, related to menopause, it may take a month to notice a decrease in your symptoms. And it may take up to 3 months to feel the full effect of the drug.

If you’re taking Duavee to help prevent osteoporosis, your doctor will likely monitor your bone mineral density (BMD) during treatment to check whether the drug is working for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Duavee treatment.

What is the recommended maximum dosage of Duavee?

The maximum dosage of Duavee that’s recommended is one tablet taken once every day. No additional benefits are seen with higher doses. For details about Duavee dosages, see the “Duavee dosage” section above.

If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Duavee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Duavee for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Duavee without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Duavee that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Duavee. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Duavee: For information about other aspects of Duavee, refer to this article.
  • Details about menopause: For details about menopause, see our menopause hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.