Covaryx, also known as Covaryx HS, EEMT, EEMT HS, or Estratest F.S., is a medication containing esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone. It is prescribed to treat specific menopause symptoms in women who haven't found relief with estrogen alone. This article provides a detailed overview of Covaryx, including its uses, potential risks, and side effects.
What is Covaryx?
Covaryx is a combination drug containing esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone. Esterified estrogens are a mixture of estrogen salts, primarily estrone. Methyltestosterone is a synthetic androgen, similar to testosterone. Covaryx does not contain a progestin.
How does Covaryx work?
Esterified estrogens work by supplementing the body's declining estrogen levels during menopause, alleviating symptoms like hot flashes. Methyltestosterone, a synthetic androgen, may further help manage certain menopause symptoms by affecting hormone levels.
Uses of Covaryx
Covaryx is primarily used to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause in patients who have not improved with estrogens alone.
Dosage and Administration
It is crucial to take Covaryx exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than your doctor has ordered. The dosage will vary for different patients, depending on the strength of the medicine. This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
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What to do if you miss a dose:Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Important Considerations Before Using Covaryx
Before starting Covaryx, inform your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, allergies, and medications.
Contraindications
You should not use Covaryx if you:
- Are allergic to esterified estrogens, methyltestosterone, or any other ingredients in the medication.
- Are pregnant or may become pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Have unusual genital bleeding.
- Have a history of blood clots caused by estrogen use.
- Have liver problems.
- Have or suspect you have certain types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Warnings and Precautions
- Cardiovascular Risks: Estrogens with or without progestins should not be used to prevent cardiovascular disease or dementia. Studies have indicated increased risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli, and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women.
- Endometrial Cancer: Estrogens increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Monitor for abnormal vaginal bleeding and report it to your doctor immediately.
- Dementia Risk: Estrogen use may increase the risk of dementia in elderly women (65 years or older).
- Blood Clots: Covaryx may increase the risk of blood clots. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, or sudden weakness.
- Liver Problems: High doses of methyltestosterone over a long period of time may increase the risk of serious liver problems.
- Vision Changes: Report any blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or other changes in vision to your doctor immediately.
- Other Medical Conditions: Use Covaryx with caution if you have a history of stroke, systemic lupus erythematosus, or venous thromboembolism.
Interactions with Other Medications
Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements, to avoid potential drug interactions. Particular caution should be exercised with:
- Insulin, a medicine used for diabetes
- A blood thinner, such as warfarin, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
Monitoring
Regular check-ups with your doctor are essential to monitor your progress and ensure the medication is working properly. These visits should be every 6 to 12 months or as otherwise directed by your doctor. Be sure to have regular breast exams and gynecology check-ups.
Potential Side Effects
Like all medications, Covaryx can cause side effects.
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Common Side Effects
- Breast tenderness or enlarged breasts
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Acne
- Changes in hair growth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weight changes
- Changes in sex drive
- Fluid retention
Serious Side Effects
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- Severe Allergic Reactions: Symptoms include breathing problems, wheezing, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, itching, skin rash, hives, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach cramps, and joint pain.
- Blood Clots: Signs include chest pain, fast or abnormal heartbeat, trouble breathing, pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm, sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, sudden weakness on one side of your body, sudden and severe headache, slurred speech, vision loss, bulging eyes, double vision, and pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg.
- Liver Damage: Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, weakness, itching, loss of appetite, light-colored poop, dark-colored urine, and jaundice.
- Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms include sudden severe headache, chest pain, dizziness, confusion, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, anxiety, buzzing in the ears, and nosebleed.
- Fluid Retention (Edema): Symptoms include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, stretched or shiny skin, and swollen body parts.
- Estrogen-Related Symptoms: New or increased vaginal bleeding or breast pain.
- Depression: New or increased thoughts of suicide or death, suicide attempt, new or increased feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Masculine Features: Deepening of the voice, excessive hair growth, acne, an enlarged clitoris, or menstrual cycle changes.
- Gallbladder Problems: Symptoms include jaundice, fever, and pain in your upper stomach area, clay-colored stool.
- Cancer: There is some concern that esterified estrogens/methyltestosterone may cause a new cancer to develop or cause a previously treated cancer to recur. Tell your health care provider about any new symptoms that you may get.
Additional Considerations
- Smoking: Avoid cigarette smoking, as it raises the chance of heart disease.
- Prolonged Immobility: Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods, such as during long trips, bed rest after surgery, or illness.
- Cholesterol and Triglycerides: This drug may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Skin Darkening: This drug may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds.
- High Calcium Levels: High calcium levels have occurred with drugs like this one in some people with cancer.
Long-Term Risks
Long-term use of Covaryx, like other hormone therapies, carries potential risks:
- Increased Risk of Certain Cancers: Long-term use of estrogen alone may increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Covaryx may also increase the risk of breast cancer. Regular breast exams and mammograms are crucial.
- Increased Risk of Dementia: This medicine may increase the risk of getting dementia in elderly women (above 65 years of age). Talk with your doctor if this concerns you.
- Liver Problems: Using large doses of methyltestosterone over a long period of time may increase the risk of serious liver problems (e.g., peliosis hepatis or liver cancer). Talk with your doctor about this risk.
Storage
Store Covaryx at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep this drug in a safe place where children cannot see or reach it, and where other people cannot get to it. A locked box or area may help keep this drug safe. Throw away unused or expired drugs properly. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.
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