MENOSTAR®

A unique transdermal estrogen therapy indicated for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women at significant risk.  Before prescribing MENOSTAR, nonestrogen medications should be carefully considered.

This section provides detailed information about MENOSTAR, including the differences between preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis in appropriate women with MENOSTAR and treating vasomotor symptoms (VMS) with other hormone therapy (HT). This section also provides information on efficacy, dosing and administration, safety and tolerability, and cost.

MENOSTAR vs Other Hormone Therapy: the differences between preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis and treating VMS

MENOSTAR

VMS Therapy

A transdermal micro-dose of estradiol indicated to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at significant risk.  MENOSTAR is specifically designed to preserve bone by producing estrogen blood levels in the physiological range for postmenopausal women1, 2

HT for VMS raises estrogen levels to that of a premenopausal woman (typically 2 to 8 times higher than estrogen levels with MENOSTAR)1

May be used as long as osteoporosis prevention is required

Should be limited to the shortest duration consistent with the need to treat VMS3

Can be used without a daily or monthly concomitant progestin in women with a uterus. Women with irregular bleeding should be evaluated prior to and during MENOSTAR treatment. A 14-day course of progestin is recommended every 6 to 12 months. Endometrial sampling is recommended annually or as clinically indicated1

HT should include the initiation of a concomitant progestin for women with a uterus

References:
1. MENOSTAR prescribing information. Montville, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharamceuticals, Inc; 2004.
2. Eskin BA, Troen BR. Geripause: a newly defined postmenopausal phase. Presented at: The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting; September 17-20, 2003; Miami Beach, Fl.
3. Estrogen and progestin use in peri- and postmenopausal women: September 2003 position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2003;10:497-505.