Hormone Replacement Drugs

For many decades, women have been taking hormone replacement therapy products such as Prempro, Premphase and Premarin in combination with progesterone or other similar hormones to reduce the symptoms of menopause. For years, doctors believed that long-term use of hormone replacement therapy was safe and provided added protection against osteoporosis and heart disease for menopausal women. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that some of these long-held beliefs are false, which has led to a re-evaluation of hormone replacement therapy and whether its safety risks outweigh the benefits to patients.

The landmark Women's Health Initiative Study, an eight-year, $700 million study of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, was abruptly halted after a number of study participants experienced adverse effects from these medications. In particular, the study showed the following increased risks to women receiving hormone replacement therapy:

• 26% increased risk of certain breast cancers
• 29% increased risk of heart attacks
• 22% increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• 41% increased risk of strokes
• 60% increased risk of ovarian cancer

It was also determined that hormone replacement therapy did not adequately prevent memory loss or heart disease, as once thought. The FDA has made a number of recommendations to women whose symptoms are significant enough to require medication. Those recommendations are enclosed.

Since the controversy regarding hormone replacement emerged in 2002, a number of patients have filed lawsuits for various injuries associated with these drugs. Our firm is currently investigating only claims involving hormone-positive lobular or ductal breast cancer in plaintiffs who ingested a hormone replacement product containing estrogen and progesterone.

Click here for a summary of past HRT trials

Click here for a summary of upcoming HRT trials

Click here to view medical information regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy