Duavee (Conjugated Estrogens / Bazedoxifene)

Description

Duavee is made up of conjugated estrogens and an estrogen agonist/antagonist, bazedoxifene. This combination medication is used to treat symptoms of menopause and prevent postmenopausal osteroporosis, or loss of bone mass that leads to fragile bones, in women who have a uterus.

Duavee comes in an oral tablet that contains 0.45 mg of conjugated estrogens and 20 mg of bazedoxifene.

Directions

Take Duavee as your doctor has prescribed. Any questions or concerns can be answered by your doctor or pharmacist.

It's recommended to take one Duavee tablet by mouth once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. The tablet should be swallowed whole.

Ingredients

Conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene, an estrogen agonist/antagonist, are the active ingredients in each Duavee tablet.

Calcium phosphate tribasic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, sucrose, ascorbic acid, sucrose palmitic acid ester, hydroxyethylcellulose, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, povidone, polydextrose, maltitol, poloxamer 188, propylene glycol, and isopropyl alcohol are the inactive ingredients.

Contraindications

Duavee should be avoided if you have any of the following conditions:

• Abnormal, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding 
• Active, suspected, or a history of breast cancer 
• Active or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia 
• Active or a history of blood clots in the veins
• Active or a history of blood clots in the arteries
• Allergy to estrogens, bazedoxifene, or any of Duavee's other ingredients
• Liver disorders
• Active protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency or other thrombophilic disorders 
• Pregnant

Cautions

Duavee contains FDA Boxed Warnings regarding the following:

• Additional estrogens should be avoided in women who are taking Duavee 
• Women who have a uterus and take unopposed estrogens are at an increased risk of endometrial cancer 
• Estrogens should not be used to prevent cardiovascular disease or dementia 
• The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 
• The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen-alone ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of probable dementia in postmenopausal women who were at least 65 years old

• Before you start taking Duavee, discuss the following with your doctor:
• All the medications you take
• Your allergies
• Your health history and current medical problems
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Because Duavee contains estrogens, progestins and extra estrogens and estrogen-agonists/antagonists should be avoided during treatment with Duavee. 
• The risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including stroke and blood clots in the legs, lungs, or retinal vessels of the eye, is increased with the use of Duavee.
• The risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer is increased with estrogen use. The effect of Duavee on the risk of breast and ovarian cancers has not been determined. It is recommended that women receive timely and appropriate examinations and checkups.
• The risk of gallbladder problems is increased with estrogen use.
• A blood clot in the retinal vessels of the eye can be caused by estrogens. Seek emergency care immediately if you develop vision problems such as vision loss, bulging of the eyes, double vision, or migraine. Depending on the results of your eye examination, your doctor may choose to discontinue your treatment with Duavee.
• Blood pressure may increase with estrogen use.
• Triglyceride levels that can lead to pancreatitis may increase with estrogen use.
• Liver problems may worsen in women with impaired liver function or a history of cholestatic jaundice and are taking Duavee. Duavee should be avoided in women with liver problems.
• Hypothyroidism may worsen with estrogen use. Women who are taking Duavee and thyroid hormone replacement may require a dose increase in their thyroid hormone replacement. 
• Fluid retention can occur with estrogen use. Caution should be used in women with heart problems. Duavee should be avoided in women with kidney problems.
• The symptoms of angioedema (swelling beneath the skin) in women who have hereditary angioedema may worsen with estrogen use.
• Conditions like asthma, diabetes, seizures, migraine, porphyria, lupus, or benign liver tumors may worsen with estrogen use. Women who have any of these conditions should use Duavee with caution.
• Premenopausal women should not take Duavee.

Side Effects

Duavee can cause muscle spasms, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach pain, pain in the mouth, pain in the neck, and dizziness. However, these are not all the side effects that can occur with Duavee treatment.

Call your doctor if you have side effects that bother you or won't go away.

Reference:

1. Duavee (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene). Philadelphia, PA: Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC; 2022.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....