• More common side effects
• Mild side effects
• Serious side effects
• FAQ
• Specifics
• Precautions

Bijuva (estradiol/progesterone) is a brand-name capsule that’s prescribed for treating certain menopausal symptoms. As with other drugs, Bijuva can cause side effects, such as cardiovascular and vision problems.

Bijuva has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section later.

More common side effects of Bijuva

Bijuva can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Bijuva in clinical trials:

• breast tenderness
• headache
• nausea
• vaginal bleeding
• vaginal discharge

Mild side effects of Bijuva

Mild side effects can occur with Bijuva use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bijuva’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Bijuva include:

• breast tenderness
• headache
• nausea
• vaginal bleeding
• vaginal discharge
• nausea
• pain in the pelvis

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Bijuva and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Serious side effects of Bijuva

Bijuva may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bijuva’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Bijuva, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• enlarged fibroids (noncancerous tumors in the uterus), which may include symptoms such as:
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • painful sex
• gallbladder disease, which may include symptoms such as:
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea and vomiting
• high blood pressure, which typically doesn’t cause symptoms.
• boxed warnings: risk for cardiovascular problems, dementia, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer*
• blood clots in your retina*

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section later.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Bijuva can cause an allergic reaction.

But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Bijuva, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

FAQ about the side effects of Bijuva

Bijuva may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Bijuva cause weight gain as a side effect?

It’s not thought to cause weight gain. Weight gain wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Bijuva.

Weight gain has been reported by people using Bijuva since the drug was approved for use. But because these reports occurred outside controlled studies, it’s not known if Bijuva or other factors caused weight gain. There are many different factors that can contribute to or cause weight gain.

Keep in mind that it’s not unusual for some people to gain weight around menopause. Bijuva is prescribed to treat certain symptoms of menopause.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about whether the medications you take could affect your weight.

Are there side effects of stopping Bijuva?

No, it doesn’t appear so. Specific side effects after stopping treatment weren’t reported in studies of Bijuva.

Bijuva is prescribed to treat certain symptoms of menopause. If you stop treatment with Bijuva, these symptoms may return or may get worse. But this isn’t a side effect of Bijuva.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about stopping Bijuva.

Is hair loss a side effect of Bijuva?

No, hair loss isn’t a known side effect caused by Bijuva. Hair loss wasn’t reported by people taking Bijuva in studies.

It’s important to note that hair loss can happen during menopause in some people. Experts believe that this is due to hormonal imbalances that happen during menopause. But Bijuva isn’t known to cause hair loss.

If you experience hair loss, talk with your doctor to help find possible causes and treatment for your symptoms.

Side effect specifics

Learn more about some of the side effects that Bijuva may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Bijuva.

Boxed warnings: risk of cardiovascular problems, dementia, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer

Bijuva has several boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of cardiovascular problems

Estrogen plus progestin therapy, including Bijuva, can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. Examples of these problems include blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Due to this risk, you should not use Bijuva to prevent cardiovascular problems. (Bijuva is not approved to prevent cardiovascular problems.)

Blood clots

Symptoms of blood clots can include pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected arm or leg. A blood clot in the lungs may cause difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Heart attack

Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating.

Stroke

Symptoms of a stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, and difficulty with speech.

Immediately seek medical attention if you develop symptoms of a cardiovascular problem while using Bijuva. Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Bijuva if you have a blood clot or have had one in the past. They also won’t prescribe the medication if you’ve had a heart attack or stroke in the past.

Risk of dementia

Taking estrogen with or without progestin can increase your risk for dementia. (Bijuva contains both estrogen and progestin.) Due to this risk, Bijuva should not be used to prevent dementia. (Bijuva isn’t approved to prevent dementia.)

This risk is specific for postmenopausal females* ages 65 years and older. The drug’s studies suggest that postmenopausal females under the age of 65 years who took estrogen with or without progestin did not show a risk of dementia.

Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, and trouble communicating.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Risk of breast cancer

Treatment that contains estrogen and progestin, including Bijuva, may increase your risk for invasive breast cancer. “Invasive” refers to breast cancer that has spread outside the breast into nearby tissue. Symptoms of breast cancer include pitting or dimpling of breast tissue, nipple or breast pain, and nipple discharge.

Due to this risk, doctors aim to prescribe estrogen/progestin treatment (such as Bijuva) for the shortest time at the lowest dose needed to treat your condition. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Bijuva if you have or have had breast cancer.

Risk of endometrial cancer

People with a uterus who take estrogen therapy alone may face an increased risk for endometrial cancer. Bijuva contains estrogen, but it also contains progestin.

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Bijuva if there’s a history of estrogen-dependent cancer, including endometrial cancer.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about any of these boxed warnings.

Blocked veins in the retina

People using estrogen therapy reported blocked veins in their retina. (Bijuva contains both estrogen and progestin) This side effect is rare but serious.

Symptoms can include:

• sudden partial or complete vision loss
• double vision
• migraine
• proptosis (bulging of one or both eyes)

What you can do

Immediately contact your doctor if you have symptoms of a blocked vein in your retina. They’ll want you to receive an eye examination as soon as possible. Your doctor will permanently stop your Bijuva treatment if they confirm this side effect. They’ll also refer you to an ophthalmologist for treatment of your symptoms.

Precautions for Bijuva

Below is important information you should consider before taking Bijuva.

Bijuva has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the previous “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Bijuva, discuss your health history with your doctor. Bijuva may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• asthma
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• epilepsy
• migraine
• porphyria
• lupus
• hemangioma of the liver or other liver condition, such as cirrhosis
• hereditary angioedema (HAE)
• high level of triglycerides in your blood
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hypoparathyroidism (low parathyroid hormone production)
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Last medically reviewed on October 7, 2024