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Compare Activella vs. Prefest

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Activella (estradiol/norethindrone) and Prefest (estradiol/norgestimate) are both combination medications used to treat menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss. Activella is available in both brand and generic forms, while Prefest is only available as a brand-name medication, which might make it more expensive. Activella is taken as a single tablet daily, whereas Prefest requires you to alternate between two different colored tablets every three days, which can be confusing. Both medications contain an estrogen and a progestin, but the specific progestins differ: Activella uses norethindrone, and Prefest uses norgestimate. Neither medication is recommended as a first-choice for preventing osteoporosis due to its higher risk of serious side effects like breast cancer and blood clots. Both medications share similar risks, including blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and certain cancers, as well as more common side effects like headaches and cold-like symptoms.

  • Activella (estradiol / norethindrone)
    Prefest (estradiol / norgestimate)
  • Activella (estradiol / norethindrone)
    Prefest (estradiol / norgestimate)

  • Summary of Activella vs. Prefest

    Summary for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Prescription only

    Activella is a combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that contains estradiol (an estrogen) and norethindrone (a progestin). It's used to treat certain symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and vaginal dryness, related to low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in females who've reached menopause. The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth once daily. Some side effects of this medication include breast pain and headache. Activella (estradiol / norethindrone), as well as other HRTs, isn't recommended for people who've had breast cancer. <br> Activella is a brand-name medication. It also comes as a generic and branded generics, such as Mimvey.

    Summary for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Prescription only

    Prefest (estradiol / norgestimate) is a combination medication that works well to relieve menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss, but the directions on the package might be a little tricky to follow when you first start it.

  • Indications of Activella vs. Prefest

    Indications for

    In females who have a healthy uterus:

    •Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) of menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats
    •Moderate-to-severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, like vaginal dryness
    •Prevention of osteoporosis in females who've reached menopause
    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Vaginal dryness and burning caused by menopause
    •Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis (not a first-choice)

  • Pros and Cons of Activella vs. Prefest

    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once daily
    •Includes a progestin to protect against endometrial cancer
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
    •Not for people who've had breast cancer
    •Not a first-choice option for vaginal symptoms of menopause or for preventing osteoporosis
    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Pros
    •Only needs to be taken once a day
    •Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms
    •Includes a medication that helps protect your uterus
    •Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy
    Cons
    •Not safe if you have liver problems
    •Brand-name only — might be expensive
    •Directions might be a little complicated for some people
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes

  • Common Side Effects of Activella vs. Prefest

    Common Side Effects for
    •Breast pain (17-24%)
    •Headache (11-17%)
    •Accidental injury (3-17%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection, like cough, cold, sore throat, congestion (10-15%)
    •Sinus infection (7-15%)
    •Postmenopausal bleeding (10-11%)
    •Nausea (10-11%)
    •Weight gain (up to 9%)
    •Ovarian cyst (up to 7%)
    •Stomach flu (up to 6%)
    •Viral infection (up to 6%)
    •Vaginal yeast infection (up to 6%)
    •Mood swings (up to 6%)
    •Back pain (3-6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headaches (23%)
    •Cold- or flu-like symptoms (up to 21%)
    •Breast pain (16%)
    •Stomach or back pain (12%)
    •Vaginal bleeding (9%)
    •Joint pain (9%)
    •Menstrual cramps (8%)
    •Sinus pain or swelling (8%)

  • Warnings of Activella vs. Prefest

    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes
    •Breast cancer
    •Uterine or endometrial cancer
    •Dementia
    •Ovarian cancer
    •Liver or gallbladder problems
    •Changes in calcium levels in the blood
    •Vision problems
    •High triglyceride (fat) levels
    •Low thyroid hormone levels
    •Buildup of fluids in your body (fluid retention)
    •Worsening of other medical conditions
    Common Side Effects for
    •BREAST CANCER
    •BLOOD CLOTS, HEART ATTACKS, AND STROKES
    •DEMENTIA
    •ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
    •GALLBLADDER PROBLEMS
    •HIGH BLOOD CALCIUM LEVELS
    •VISION PROBLEMS

  • Prices with our coupons for Activella vs. Prefest

    Learn more about Activella
    Learn more about Prefest

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