Premarin and HRT: Update

FACTSHEET

In 1991, the Women's Health Initiative launched a series of clinical trials that followed almost 200,000 healthy postmenopausal women. Many of these studies will continue to monitor the serious risks associated with Hormone Replacement Therapies until 2007. At least one study involving Prempro (manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst, which also produces Premarin) was halted early in 2002, after researchers discovered substantial health risks. The dangers identified for the  16,000 women in the study included heart attacks, blood clots, and breast cancer.

As of January, 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring that all Premarin, Prempro, and Premphase labels include a boxed warning about the findings from the discontinued Women's Health Initiative study. The agency says it has to assume that all other Wyeth products containing the same estrogen pose the same risks, until proven otherwise.

In light of these conclusive and shocking reports, doctors of obstetrics and gynecology all over the United States are seriously reexamining the hormone replacement treatment protocols they have been following for more than 60 years. Alternative therapies, new diets, and replacement drugs not derived from pregnant mares' urine are now being prescribed with very satisfying results.

Even with these developments, Wyeth-Ayerst has not taken these drugs off the market. They still produce numerous versions of Premarin for export to the EU, Israel, and other countries.

On farms in Canada and the United States, approximately 40 thousand mares each year have been cruelly exploited, continuously tied up to extract their urine. Thousands of foals are discarded and slaughtered in the process.

With demand and production rapidly decreasing, thousands of "spent" mares have been sent to slaughter auctions. As the facilities shrink in size, many more horses will be dumped onto the market so quickly that they have only a minimal chance of being rescued.

More Information

• For full documentation about the HRT studies, visit the Women's Health Initiative or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
    

• Read the official Premarin labeling, which includes the latest health warnings mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  

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