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Compare Premarin vs. Climara

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

Key takeaways

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) and Climara (estradiol) are both estrogen replacement therapies used to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, but they have some key differences. Premarin is an oral tablet, while Climara is a transdermal patch that you apply to your skin. Premarin can also be used to treat low estrogen levels due to other conditions and certain cancers in advanced stages, whereas Climara is also used to treat low estrogen levels due to genetic conditions. Premarin and Climara can both be taken for osteoporosis prevention, but they are usually not the first choice. Premarin is taken daily or in cycles, while Climara is applied once or twice a week. Both medications can cause headaches and weight gain and increase the risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes. If you have a uterus, you will need to take an additional hormone called progestin with both medications to lower the risk of uterine cancer.

  • Premarin
    Climara (estradiol patch)
  • Premarin
    Climara (estradiol patch)

  • Summary of Premarin vs. Climara

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    Premarin (conjugated estrogens) is an oral estrogen hormone tablet that's used to treat various conditions in adults. Most commonly, it relieves menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. The medication is also used for treating low estrogen levels, certain advanced stages of breast or prostate cancers, and osteoporosis after menopause. Depending on what you're using it for, the medication can be taken daily or in cycles. Side effects include headache, stomach pain, nausea, and breast pain.

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    The Climara (estradiol patch) is a once-weekly hormonal patch that relieves menopause symptoms and treats low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people who have gone through menopause. The patch is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and typically has fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills. You'll apply one patch to the skin of your lower stomach or the upper buttocks once a week. Potential side effects of this hormone patch include breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain.

  • Indications of Premarin vs. Climara

    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Vaginal dryness caused by menopause
    •Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions
    •Certain advanced stages of breast cancer
    •Certain advanced stages of prostate cancer
    •Prevention of bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause
    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Vaginal dryness and irritation caused by menopause
    •Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions
    •Prevention of osteoporosis after menopause

  • Pros and Cons of Premarin vs. Climara

    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms
    •Available in multiple strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    •Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth
    Cons
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Some people might need to take it with another hormone called progestin
    •Not a first-choice medication for treating bone loss after menopause
    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Relieves multiple menopause symptoms
    •Only need to apply once a week
    •Might have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills
    •Available in different strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    Cons
    •Commonly causes breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain
    •Can cause skin irritation, redness, and itchiness at the patch site
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Might need to take it with another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus

  • Common Side Effects of Premarin vs. Climara

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (13-14%)
    •Abnormal vaginal bleeding (2-13%)
    •Breast pain (7-12%)
    •Stomach pain (8-11%)
    •Passing gas (4-6%)
    •Vaginal discharge (4-5%)
    •Back pain (3-5%)
    •General pain (3-5%)
    •Nausea (3-5%)
    •Insomnia (3-5%)
    •Depression (3-5%)
    •Weakness (2-5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Breast pain (up to 29%)
    •Headache (up to 18%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 17%)
    •Stomach pain (up to 16%)
    •Swelling (up to 13%)
    •Back and body pain (up to 11%)
    •Depression (up to 8%)
    •Vaginal discharge (up to 7%)
    •Excessive gas (up to 7%)
    •Itching (up to 6%)
    •Nausea (up to 6%)

  • Warnings of Premarin vs. Climara

    Common Side Effects for
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Blood clots and stroke
    •Heart disease and heart attacks
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Changes in calcium levels in the blood
    •Worsening of other health conditions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood clots and related complications (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Ovarian cancer
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Worsening of other health conditions

  • Prices with our coupons for Premarin vs. Climara

    Learn more about Premarin
    Learn more about Climara

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