Candles "Ovestin" is an estrogen drug intended for the treatment of diseases of the urogenital organs. Release the medicine in the form of vaginal suppositories. They are suitable for local use. Next, consider the instructions for the Ovestin candles.
Composition of the drug
The active substance is estriol, and the auxiliary is witepsol. Suppositories are available in the form of a torpedo and have a cream color. This drug belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group of estrogens.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Ovestin candles are prescribed to patients in the following cases:
- Hormon therapy for the treatment of mucosal atrophy of the lower genitourinary system associated with estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
- Performing post-operative therapy for postmenopausal women.
- As a diagnostic aid.
Contraindications for use
Candles "Ovestin" have many different contraindications, among whichthe following:
- Established or suspected breast cancer.
- Diagnosed or suspected estrogen-dependent tumors, such as endometrial cancer.
- The appearance of bleeding from the vagina, which have an unclear etiology.
- Untreated endometrial hyperplasia.
- Venous thrombosis.
- Protein C deficiency.
- Presence of thromboembolism or cerebrovascular disease
- Presence of transient ischemic attacks, angina pectoris.
- Presence of acute liver disease.
- Presence of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to the excipient of the drug.
The use of Ovestin candles should be very careful.
When should medication be taken with caution?
With caution, the presented drug should be used if there are any of the following diseases or conditions, as well as if these pathologies were noted earlier:
- Presence of uterine fibroids.
- Risk of thromboembolism.
- Presence of the first degree of heredity of breast cancer.
- Presence of arterial hypertension.
- Presence of benign liver tumors, such as adenomas.
- Presence of diabetes mellitus with and without angiopathy.
- Appearance of cholelithiasis.
- Having familial hyperlipoproteinemia or pancreatitis.
- Appearance of jaundice.
- Development of liver failure.
- Having a migraine or severe headache.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- History of endometrial hyperplasia.
- Presence of epilepsy, bronchial asthma or otosclerosis.
Can I take suppositories while pregnant?
Candles "Ovestin" are absolutely contraindicated during gestation. If pregnancy is established during the period of treatment with this drug, the therapeutic course should be immediately canceled. This product is also not recommended for breastfeeding. The active substance estriol is excreted in mother's milk and may reduce its production.
Method of application and dosing of the medicine
Candles "Ovestin" is inserted into the vagina at bedtime. As part of the treatment of atrophy of the mucous membrane of the lower regions of the genitourinary system, one suppository is used per day for the first two weeks, followed by a gradual decrease in dosage. The dose is started to be reduced, based on the relief of symptoms. Thus, when the symptoms subside, take one suppository twice a week.
During postoperative therapy in postmenopausal periods, one suppository is used twice every seven days for two weeks after surgery. For diagnostic purposes, in the absence of the results of a cytological examination of the uterus, the use of Ovestin suppositories is as follows: one suppository every other day for a week before taking the next smear.
Missed medication must be administered on the same day the woman remembers it. The dose should not be administered twice a day. Subsequent applications are carried out according tothe usual dosing regimen. If treatment for postmenopausal symptoms is continued, the lowest effective dosage should be used for the shortest possible time.
Women not receiving hormone therapy can start treatment with this drug any day. Women who are switching from taking other hormonal medications should start treatment with Ovestin one week after stopping the previous similar medication.
Side effects
As the instructions for use indicate, Ovestin candles can cause irritation and itching in women. Sensitivity is sometimes noted along with tightness, soreness, and enlargement of the mammary glands. Such reactions are usually short-lived, but may indicate taking too high a dosage.
Bleeding and metrorrhagia may also occur. In addition, there are many other side effects. For example, the liver and biliary tract may respond with the following adverse reactions:
- Development of gallstone disease.
- Appearance of benign, malignant and unspecified neoplasms, including polyps and cysts.
Dementia can become a mental disorder. This is possible if hormone therapy is carried out continuously after the age of sixty-five. Against the background of the use of Ovestin suppositories, the activity of the genital organs and mammary glands may be accompanied by an increaselibido. The skin and subcutaneous tissues may react with chloasma, erythema multiforme, or hemorrhagic purpura.
There is evidence of an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer. In addition, there is a risk of venous thromboembolism, coronary disease and stroke.
Drug overdose
According to the instructions for use for Ovestin suppositories, this is unlikely with vaginal administration. True, if a large amount of drug substances enter the intestinal tract, nausea and vomiting may occur. There is no specific antidote. If necessary, symptomatic treatment should be carried out.
Indications for the use of Ovestin candles must be strictly observed.
Interaction with other medicines
In clinical practice, there is no interaction between Ovestin and other drugs. The metabolism of estrogens can increase if they are used in combination with drugs such as Phenobarbital and Carbamazepine.
Ritonavir may exhibit inducing properties when used in combination with hormones. Herbal medicines that contain St. John's wort are able to induce estrogen metabolism. Excessive estrogen metabolism can lead to reduced clinical effect.
The active substance of estriol suppositories can enhance the effect of lipid-lowering drugs and reduce the effect of anticoagulants, male sex hormones, antidepressants, and, in addition,diuretic and hypoglycemic drugs.
Drugs intended for general anesthesia, along with narcotic analgesics, anxiolytics and some antihypertensive drugs, reduce the effectiveness of Ovestin. Folic acid can enhance the effects of estriol.
Indications for candles "Ovestin" and contraindications we have considered. What else does the manual say?
Special Instructions
For the treatment of menopausal symptoms, suppositories should be taken only for signs that have an extremely adverse effect on the overall quality of life. In other cases, it is necessary to assess the risks and benefits of hormone therapy at least once a year. Such treatment can only be continued for as long as the benefits outweigh the risks.
Before starting hormonal treatment with Ovestin candles for women, you need to collect an individual history. Based on the results obtained and contraindications for use, a clinical examination is required. First of all, you should carefully examine the condition of the pelvic organs and mammary glands.
During the treatment period, it is recommended to conduct a periodic medical examination, the frequency of such is individual. Patients should be informed about the need to inform the doctor about any changes in the mammary glands. Examination, including appropriate imaging modalities such as mammography, should be performed according to currently accepted examination standards anddepending on the specific case. This confirms the instructions for use for candles "Ovestin" for women.
What are the reasons for stopping the drug immediately?
Suppository therapy should be discontinued if the patient experiences the following conditions:
- Appearance of jaundice or deterioration of liver function.
- Increase in pressure.
- The appearance of migraine headaches.
- Pregnancy.
Danger of developing endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma during treatment
As part of the prevention of endometrial stimulation, the daily dosage of this drug should not exceed one suppository, which contains 0.5 milligrams of estriol. Do not use this maximum dosage for more than four weeks. Of note, one epidemiological study found that long-term low-dose oral estriol increased the risk of endometrial cancer.
This risk increases as the duration of therapy increases and returns to baseline one year after discontinuation of the drug. The risk of a minimally invasive and highly differentiated tumor is predominantly increased. The occurrence of vaginal bleeding in all cases requires a mandatory additional examination. Patients should be informed of the need to contact a doctor in the event of vaginal bleeding. Instructions for candles "Ovestin" for women warns about this.
Danger of developing breast cancer during treatment
Hormonal treatment can increase mammographic density, making radiological detection of breast cancer more difficult. Clinical studies have shown that the likelihood of an increase in mammographic density in women who receive estriol therapy is lower compared to patients who are treated with other estrogens.
The evidence presented supports an increased risk of breast cancer in women who receive combined treatment with estrogens and progestogens. In women who receive combined treatment with estrogen and progestogen for more than five years, there is a two-fold increase in the risk of breast cancer. Thus, the level of risk directly depends on the duration of hormonal treatment.
It is not known exactly whether Ovestin poses the same risk to patients. But, nevertheless, it is important that the risk of developing breast cancer is necessarily discussed with the patient and correlated with the benefits of hormonal treatment. Side effects from Ovestin suppositories can be very serious.
Can ovarian cancer be treated with the drug?
Ovarian cancer appears much less frequently than breast cancer. Long-term treatment with estrogen, for example for five years, is associated with a small increase in the risk of developing ovarian cancer. The results of a number of studies indicate that combined hormonal treatment increases the possibility of ovarian cancer to a small extent. However, before assigning datacandles should inform the patient about the possible risks.
Venous thromboembolism
Ovestin suppositories can increase the risk of developing venous thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism by one and a half times. A similar risk is relevant when taking estrogen in the elderly, and in addition, in the case of extensive surgical interventions, with obesity or in the presence of lupus erythematosus.
In the event that Ovestin is prescribed as part of postoperative treatment, the expediency of preventing thrombosis should be considered. If, after the start of Ovestin therapy, the patient develops thromboembolism, then treatment with this drug should be stopped immediately. She should be informed to see a doctor immediately if she suddenly feels signs of thromboembolism, for example, there may be painful swelling of the legs along with sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and so on.
Features of the drug "Ovestin" and its effect on the body
Estrogens can cause fluid retention, and therefore women suffering from impaired renal function, in the case of treatment with Ovestin suppositories, should be under medical supervision. Estriol acts as a weak antagonist of gonadotropin and cannot have a significant effect on the endocrine system.
Cognitive function does not improve with hormonal treatment in patients. There is evidence of an increased risk of dementia in women who started continuous combination treatment with this drug after the age of sixty-five. This is indicated in the instructions.
Analogues of candles "Ovestin"
One of the analogues is a drug called "Ovipol Clio". This substitute has the same release form and method of use as Ovestin. This medicine is prescribed to patients as part of hormonal treatment in the postoperative period against the background of postmenopause. This analogue has many contraindications, and, in addition, side effects.
The drug "Estrokad" is an analogue of German production. It is also produced in the form of vaginal suppositories. The active ingredient is estriol. One suppository contains 500 micrograms of the active ingredient. This analogue is strictly contraindicated in pregnancy.
An analogue of the candles "Ovestin" "Estrogel" is available in the form of a gel intended for topical use. This drug, like Ovestin, belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group of estrogens. In the role of the active ingredient in this case, a substance called estradiol is used.
Reviews about the drug "Ovestin"
Despite the large list of various contraindications, there are many positive reviews about this drug. For example, some report that thanks to these candles, women in some cases manage to become pregnant. The fact is that doctors sometimes prescribe these suppositories to dilute various female secretions, as a result of which it becomes easier for male spermatozoa to penetrate into the uterus. In such situations, it is noted that pregnancy occurs after the second month of treatment with Ovestin candles.
Also, many people write that these suppositories are very effective against the background of hormone therapy for the treatment of atrophy of the mucous membrane of the lower region of the genitourinary system, which are associated with estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Women also write in their reviews that these candles are small in size, making them easy to use.
The disadvantages, first of all, include the fact that Ovestin candles are a hormonal drug and therefore have many different contraindications. For a long time, patients are afraid to use this remedy, as there are risks of the possible development of breast cancer. Does not add to the popularity of this drug and its cost, which is about one and a half thousand rubles.
Thus, based on the feedback, we can draw the following conclusions. This drug is quite controversial: on the one hand, it effectively helps women cope with various gynecological problems, and on the other hand, it is a hormonal remedy that cannot be safe for he alth.
We reviewed analogues for Ovestin candles, instructions for use and reviews.
