This medication is used to treat painful sexual
intercourse and vaginal dryness in women after menopause. Painful
intercourse and vaginal dryness are symptoms of changes in and around your
vagina, due to menopause.
This drug is different from hormones (including
estrogens and progestins). It works by acting like estrogen in some parts
of the body. Ospemifene belongs to a class of drugs known as selective
estrogen receptor modulators (SERM).
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking ospemifene and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
See also Warning section.
Hot flashes, vaginal discharge, muscle spasms, and
sweating may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may rarely cause serious problems from
blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs or
legs). You may be at increased risk for blood clots if you are severely
dehydrated, or have a history of blood clots, heart/blood vessel disease,
heart failure, stroke, or if you are immobile (such as on very long plane
flights or being bedridden). Before using this medication, if you have any
of these conditions report them to your doctor or pharmacist. Get medical
help right away if any of these side effects occur:
- shortness of breath/rapid breathing
- chest/jaw/left arm pain
- unusual sweating
- confusion
- sudden dizziness/fainting
- pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf
- sudden/severe headaches
- trouble speaking
- weakness on one side of the body
- sudden vision changes
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning and Side Effects sections.
Before taking ospemifene, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- active or past history of blood clots (such as deep venous
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
- active or past history of heart/blood vessel disease (such as
heart attack, stroke)
- cancer
- liver disease
Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having
surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time (such
as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting
blood clots. You may need to stop this medication for a time or take
special precautions.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It
may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be
pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
Other medications can affect the removal of ospemifene
from your body, which may affect how ospemifene works. Examples include
fluconazole, rifampin, among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
You should have a complete physical examination, breast
and pelvic examination, and PAP test (for vaginal cancer) as directed by
your doctor, usually at least once a year. You should also have periodic
mammograms as determined by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions
for examining your own breasts. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding, breast
pain, or lumps right away. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult
your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.