Generic Name: esterified estrogens (ess TER ih fied ESS troe jenz)
Brand Name: Menest

Medically reviewed on April 12, 2018

What are Menest?

See also: Kisqali

Menest are a man-made mixture of estrogens that are used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, vaginal burning or irritation, or other hormonal changes in the vagina.

Menest is also used to replace estrogen in women with ovarian failure or other conditions that cause a lack of natural estrogen in the body.

In some cases, Menest is used to treat symptoms of breast cancer in men and women. This medicine is also used in men to treat symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. This medicine treats only the symptoms of cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.

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

Important Information

Do not use if you are pregnant.

You should not take Menest if you have any of the following conditions: unusual vaginal bleeding, a blood-clotting disorder, breast cancer (unless you are taking this medicine for breast cancer symptoms), or if you have ever had thyroid cancer or uterine cancer, or a blood clot caused by taking hormones.

Menest 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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Menest if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant, or if you have:

To make sure Menest is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

The hormones in esterified estrogens can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medicine may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take Menest?

Menest are sometimes taken daily and sometimes taken on a cycled schedule, depending on the condition being treated.

If you take this medicine on a cycled schedule, you will take it daily for several days or weeks and then have 7 to 10 days off the medicine, to mimic your body's natural monthly cycle.

If you are taking Menest to treat cancer, you may be taking the medicine more than once per day.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

No matter what your dosing schedule, try to take the medicine at the same time each dosing day.

Call your doctor right away if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding.

To help lower your risk of uterine cancer, your doctor may also want you to take a progestin medication. Follow all dosing directions carefully.

If you need surgery or medical tests or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop taking your medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are taking Menest.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

While taking Menest, you will need to visit your doctor regularly. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis and have regular mammograms.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you forget to start taking Menest again after the regular time off in your dosing cycle.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Menest?

Menest side effects

Stop using Menest and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects may include:

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Menest?

Other drugs may interact with esterified estrogens, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Next → Side Effects

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