Bijuva 1/100 (Estradiol (As Hemihydrate) And Progesterone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Bijuva 1/100 Used For?
Bijuva 1/100 is a hormone replacement therapy that contains two female hormones – estradiol and progesterone. It’s specifically designed for postmenopausal women who still have their uterus.
Primary Uses
Bijuva 1/100 is used for continuous combined hormone replacement therapy to treat estrogen deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women who still have a uterus and have had at least 12 months (1 year) since their last natural period.
How It Works
During menopause, the amount of estrogen produced by a woman’s body drops significantly. This can cause symptoms such as hot flushes affecting the face, neck and chest. Bijuva 1/100 contains estrogen to replace what your body no longer makes, plus progesterone to protect the lining of your womb.
Good to know: The progesterone in Bijuva 1/100 protects you from the increased risk of womb lining problems that can occur with estrogen-only treatments.
How to Take Bijuva 1/100
Bijuva 1/100 should be taken consistently at the same time every day to ensure it works effectively. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary.
Dosage Instructions
Take one capsule every day in the evening. Capsules should be taken with food and swallowed with water. Follow all instructions given by your doctor and continue taking until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This could be harmful.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Breast tenderness, pain, or swelling
- Headache
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Vaginal discharge (white or yellowish)
- Pelvic pain
- Nausea and stomach problems
- Muscle pain or spasms
- Dizziness or weakness
- Hair loss or excessive hair growth
- Hot flushes
- Mood changes, depression, or sleep problems
- Weight gain or loss
- Skin problems like acne or itching
- Back pain
- High blood pressure
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, swelling, breathing problems)
- Severe abdominal pain with fever
- Blood clots in legs or lungs
- Breast cancer
- Stroke symptoms
- Slurred speech
- Dark colored urine with itching
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Swelling of face, tongue, or throat with breathing difficulty
- Large rise in blood pressure
- First-time migraine-like headaches
Important Warnings
Bijuva 1/100 carries important risks that you should discuss with your doctor. The Women’s Health Initiative study showed increased risks of certain serious conditions with hormone replacement therapy.
Who Should Not Take Bijuva 1/100
Do not use if you: are allergic to estradiol, progesterone, or any ingredients; have or have ever had breast cancer or are suspected of having it; have estrogen-sensitive cancer such as womb lining cancer; have unexplained vaginal bleeding; have excessive thickening of the womb lining that is untreated; have or have ever had blood clots in veins or lungs; have blood clotting disorders; have or recently had heart attack, stroke, or angina; have liver disease with abnormal function tests; have a rare inherited blood problem called porphyria.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: fibroids in your womb; endometriosis or history of excessive womb lining growth; increased risk of blood clots; increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancer; high blood pressure; liver disorders; diabetes; gallstones; migraine or severe headaches; systemic lupus erythematosus; epilepsy; asthma; ear disease affecting hearing; very high blood fats; fluid retention due to heart or kidney problems; hereditary or acquired angioedema.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Bijuva 1/100 is only for postmenopausal women. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.
Cancer and Blood Clot Risks: HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. These risks should be carefully considered with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Bijuva 1/100 and affect how it works, potentially leading to irregular bleeding or reduced effectiveness.
Important: Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking, including those bought without prescription.
- Epilepsy medicines (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- Tuberculosis medicines (rifampicin, rifabutin)
- HIV medicines (nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, nelfinavir)
- St John’s Wort herbal remedies
- Bromocriptine for pituitary problems or Parkinson’s disease
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, griseofulvin)
- Ciclosporin for immune system suppression
- Lamotrigine for epilepsy
- Hepatitis C medicines (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir combinations)
Alcohol & Driving
Bijuva 1/100 is not expected to significantly affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but you should be cautious until you know how it affects you personally.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not expected to interact with Bijuva 1/100. However, if you drink alcohol, discuss with your doctor about any possible effects of combining alcohol with this medicine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Bijuva 1/100 affects you. If you experience any side effects that impact your ability to drive or operate machinery, act appropriately and contact your doctor.
Storage
Store Bijuva 1/100 in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep capsules in the original packaging until it’s time to take them. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Bijuva 1/100, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication should be taken continuously as prescribed by your doctor. You may experience irregular bleeding or spotting during the first 3-6 months of treatment, which is normal.
Yes, Bijuva 1/100 capsules should be taken with food and swallowed with water, preferably in the evening at the same time each day.
Do not stop taking Bijuva 1/100 suddenly without telling your doctor. Your doctor will guide you on how to safely discontinue the medication when appropriate.
Alcohol is not expected to interact with Bijuva 1/100, but you should discuss with your doctor about the possible effects of drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
Weight gain or weight loss are listed as possible side effects of Bijuva 1/100. If you experience significant weight changes, discuss this with your doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose.
Keep all your doctor’s appointments and go for regular check-ups. You should also join mammography screening programs when offered, and inform healthcare professionals that you use HRT as it may affect mammogram results.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.