MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Estrogen overdose

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Estrogen overdose

Contents of this page:
Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms Home Treatment	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Definition

Estrogen overdose is poisoning from exposure to more than the recommended amount of estrogen hormones in medications. Estrogens are found in birth control prescriptions and hormone replacement therapy, and may be administered orally, injected, or absorbed into the skin. Overdose would most likely be from oral medications.

Poisonous Ingredient

Estrogen

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

Chlorotrianisene (Tace)
Conjugated estrogens - injectable (Premarin)
Conjugated estrogens - oral (Premarin)
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Estradiol cypionate (Depo-Estradiol)
Esterified estrogens
Estradiol (Estrace)
Estradiol transdermal system (Estraderm)
Estradiol valerate
Estrogenic substance
Estrone aqueous suspension
Estropipate (Estrone)
Ethinyl estradiol and ethynodiol diacetate (Demulen)
Ethinyl estradiol
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Nordette, Tri- Levlen, Triphasil)
Mestranol and ethynodiol diacetate (Ovulen)
Mestranol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/50)
Mestranol and norethynodrel (Enovid)
Norethindrone (Micronor, Nor-Q.D.)
Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Loestrin, Norlestrin)
Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (Brevicon, Ortho-Novum 1/35, Modicon, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ovcon)
Norgestrel (Ovrette)
Norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Lo/Ovral, Ovral)
Quinestrol
Ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Excessive vaginal bleeding (2-7 days following overdose)
Fluid retention
Breast tenderness
Discoloration of urine
Rash
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Drowsiness
Mental changes

Home Treatment

Discontinue the estrogen. The poisoning is unlikely to be life threatening, but if an overdose has occurred call Poison Control for further instructions.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

Call Poison Control or your local emergency number -- they will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. If possible, take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

In the emergency room, symptoms will be treated.

Note: A trip to the emergency room will probably not be necessary. Poison Control or a physician will instruct you if it's necessary.

Expectations (prognosis)

Serious symptoms are very unlikely.

Update Date: 2/9/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.