Premique, also available as Premique Low Dose is a hormone replacement therapy available in the form of tablets. Developed and marketed by Pfizer pharmaceutical company, Premique is a branded HRT that is commonly prescribed to women in the UK for efficient alleviation of uncomfortable menopausal symptoms. Officially classified as a continuous HRT, Premique contains man-made synthetic versions of naturally occurring hormones oestrogen and progesterone that help restore the hormonal balance and thus mitigate the symptoms of menopause.

What’s on this page?

Should I consider HRTs?

Menopause is a natural process that is directly tied to cessation of ovulation and the subsequent decrease in oestrogen levels. As such, menopause is something that will be experienced by every woman when she reaches a certain age, and there is nothing that can be done to truly prevent or avert it. However, in a majority of cases, there is no need to do so at all, as many women will experience only mild symptoms. However, in those cases where menopausal symptoms become especially prominent and severe to the point where they affect woman’s everyday life and activities, HRTs such as Premique might be needed and recommended by the doctor.

How does Premique help with menopausal symptoms?

As mentioned, most of menopausal symptoms are directly tied to the decreasing levels of oestrogen, so it comes as no surprise that HRTs work by supplementing the depleted levels of this hormone. Premique is no different. With conjugated oestrogens, this medication will successfully increase the levels of female sex hormone, thus contributing to decreasing intensity of the unpleasant menopausal symptoms. It is classified as a continuous HRT, similarly to, for example, Estraderm MX. However, it is important to note that the studies have proven that uncontrolled rise in oestrogen have a rather harmful effect due to fact that it contributes to rapid and excessive thickening of the uterine lining, thus creating favourable conditions for the onset of endometrial cancer.

In order to prevent this side effect, HRTs designed for women who have not had their wombs removed also have to include a synthetic form of progesterone, a hormone tasked with preventing oestrogen levels to rise above their normal and optimal values. In Premique, medroxyprogesterone acetate plays this role, acting as a countering agent for the rising levels of oestrogen.

Can I buy Premique online?

Yes, it is possible to buy Premique online, however, this is possible only if you are looking to renew your prescription. If it is your first time buying Premique, you will be required to visit your doctor in person and provide him with detailed information regarding your medical profile and history, so he can assess your condition and determine whether this medication is suitable for you. If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and you will be able to use it to obtain Premique from your local pharmacy.

Once you have already gone through this process, you will be able to renew your prescription from the comfort of your own home, using the website functionality of any online clinic operating within the United Kingdom. All you have to is simply order the medication and you will be presented with a specialised medical questionnaire that the doctor will use to confirm your suitability for this medication. Once the process is done and your treatment is approved, the prescription will be issued and used that very same moment to have the medication delivered from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the signing up process.

How to use Premique?

Prior to commencing Premique treatment, you will get detailed instructions from your prescriber about how to use this HRT in a safe way. By strictly adhering to these instructions, you will ensure the best possible results, while at the same time minimising the risk of experiencing any adverse effects. In addition to information provided by your doctor or pharmacist, you will also receive an official patient information leaflet within your pack of Premique which will contain a detailed guide on how this medication should be used.

Below, we will provide you with a short overview of some of the most central points of this guide. However, you should keep in mind that what follows can under no circumstances be used as a replacement for official information or the doctor’s advice. The text will serve simply as an illustration that will help you get a clearer idea of what Premique treatment might involve.

  • Always take exactly as prescribed
  • Unless advised differently by doctor, you should take one Premique tablet daily
  • Ideally, aim to take Premique at the same time each day
  • Consult the information leaflet on when and how to begin treatment
  • Your starting time will depend on numerous factors, most importantly if you are using some other HRT and if you still have your periods
  • Never exceed the prescribed amount
  • If you forget a dose, do not compensate by doubling on the next one
  • You can still take the missed dose only if no more than 12 hours has passed since the scheduled time
  • Otherwise, simply skip the missed dose and continue with the treatment as usual

What are Premique side effects?

As is the case with all prescription medication, Premique also comes with certain side effects which might affect women especially susceptible to them. If this happens to you, it is very important to be able to differentiate between those side effects that can be uncomfortable, but otherwise benign and those which are very serious indications that Premique isn’t suitable treatment for you. The latter will require you to stop treatment and contact your doctor or local emergency service immediately. These side effects include:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Liver problems
  • Sudden migraines without prior history of the condition
  • Lumps in the breasts
  • Blood clot
  • Sudden increase in blood pressure

Other documented side effects include:

Frequency of occurrence Side effects
Common (1 in 10 users) Breast pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding or spotting, inflammation of the vagina, painful periods, tender or swollen breasts, nipple discharge, depression, pains in muscles and joints, leg cramps, weight fluctuations
Uncommon (1 in 100 users) Thrush, irregular periods, vaginal discharge, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, blood clots, dizziness, mood swings, libido changes, swelling of the face or ankles, acne, gallbladder disease, hair loss
Rare (1 in 1000 users) Irritability, changes in breast tissue, increased hair growth, worsening of asthma symptoms, increase in the size of fibroids, ovarian cancer, epilepsy exacerbation, heart attack, stroke, pancreatitis

Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list of all known side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Premique.