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What should I watch for?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine. You should also discuss the need for regular mammograms with your health care professional, and follow his or her guidelines for these tests.
This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.
If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away and contact your doctor or health care professional.
Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medicine, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye doctor or health care professional.
This medicine can increase the risk of developing a condition (endometrial hyperplasia) that may lead to cancer of the lining of the uterus. Taking progestins, another hormone drug, with this medicine lowers the risk of developing this condition. Therefore, if your uterus has not been removed (by a hysterectomy), your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take together with your estrogen. You should know, however, that taking estrogens with progestins may have additional health risks. You should discuss the use of estrogens and progestins with your health care professional to determine the benefits and risks for you.
If you are going to have surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine. Consult your health care professional for advice before you schedule the surgery.
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Common and Rare Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
acid or sour stomach
backache
belching
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision
breast tenderness, enlargement, pain, or discharge
change in vaginal discharge
changes in skin color
changes in vision
chest pain or discomfort
chills
clay-colored stools
clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
confusion
convulsions
darkening of the urine
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness or lightheadedness
double vision
fainting
fast heartbeat
fluid-filled skin blisters
full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
headache
headache, severe and throbbing
indigestion
inverted nipple
irregular heartbeat
itching of the vagina or genital area
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
lump in the breast or under the arm
migraine headache
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
noisy breathing
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain during sexual intercourse
pain in the ankles or knees
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain or feeling of pressure in the pelvis
pain, redness, or swelling in the arm, foot, or leg
painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
poor insight and judgment
problems with memory or speech
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red, irritated eyes
redness or swelling of the breast
sensitivity to the sun
skin thinness
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
sudden loss of consciousness
sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing
sweating
swelling
swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
tightness in the chest
trouble recognizing objects
trouble thinking and planning
trouble walking
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
vaginal bleeding or spotting
vomiting
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
hives or welts
inability to have or keep an erection
increased hair growth, especially on the face
increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse
irritability
leg cramps
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of scalp hair
mental depression
mood disturbances
patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of the skin
redness of the skin
twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
weight changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
