Duavee (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain symptoms caused by menopause. As with other drugs, Duavee can cause side effects, such as abdominal pain, dizziness, and nausea.

Duavee 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 below.

Duavee 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 Duavee in clinical trials:

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Duavee include:

  • diarrhea
  • muscle spasms
  • nausea
  • sore throat
  • dizziness
  • indigestion
  • neck pain
  • abdominal pain

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 FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Duavee and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Duavee may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Duavee’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Duavee, 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:

* Duavee has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Duavee tablets can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

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 Duavee, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

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

Does Duavee cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. They also include side effects that may not go away even after you stop taking the drug.

Medications that contain estrogen alone (not taken with the hormone progesterone), such as Duavee, can increase the risk of endometrial cancer when used long term. The risk has been shown to continue, even after stopping the drug. (For more information, see “Side effect specifics” below.)

Rarely, Duavee may cause blood clots, which can happen at any time during treatment. They can lead to serious problems, such as stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), or retinal vascular thrombosis. These problems could require long-term treatment or recovery time.

If you have questions about the long-term side effects of Duavee, talk with your doctor.

How do the side effects of Duavee compare with those seen with estradiol?

Both Duavee and estradiol contain the hormone estrogen. They are used to relieve symptoms of menopause and to prevent osteoporosis after menopause. These medications can cause similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Some of these side effects are listed below.

Mild side effects

  • Can occur with Duavee:
    • diarrhea
    • muscle spasms
    • sore throat
    • neck pain
  • Can occur with estradiol:
    • bloating
    • breast tenderness
    • headache
    • weight changes
  • Can occur with both Duavee and estradiol:
    • nausea
    • upset stomach
    • dizziness
    • abdominal pain

Serious side effects

Duavee and estradiol can both cause serious side effects that include:

  • blood clots
  • liver problems
  • high blood pressure
  • stroke
  • increased risk of dementia
  • increased risk of endometrial cancer

For more information about the side effects of Duavee and estradiol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Increased risk of certain cancers

Duavee has a boxed warning about the increased risk of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is a cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus. Duavee is a combination of two drugs, estrogen and bazedoxifene. Estrogens, when used alone (without the hormone progesterone), have shown to thicken the lining of the uterus, which may increase the risk of endometrial cancer. This risk appears to be greater when higher doses are used for a longer period of time.

However, Duavee also contains another drug called bazedoxifene, which can prevent the thickening of the lining of the uterus that estrogens can cause. This helps to lower the risk of endometrial cancer compared to people who use estrogen therapy alone. Symptoms of endometrial cancer may include:

What you can do

You should not take other medications that contain estrogen during treatment with Duavee. This can further increase your cancer risk. If you notice any unusual vaginal bleeding or other symptoms, tell your doctor right away.

Increased risk of cardiovascular disorder

Duavee has a boxed warning for the increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including blood clots and stroke. It isn’t known how many people developed cardiovascular problems in clinical trials of the drug.

Blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur during treatment with Duavee. DVT is a blood clot that forms in your leg (typically in the lower leg). PE is a blood clot in your lungs. Symptoms of DVT or PE may include:

  • pain or swelling in the leg or arm
  • warmth in or around the affected area
  • difficulty breathing
  • chest pain

Taking Duavee may increase your risk of having a stroke. A stroke happens when there is a blockage or bleeding in the vessels that deliver oxygen to the brain. Symptoms of a stroke may include:

  • vision problems
  • difficulty walking
  • weakness in your face, arm, or leg (typically on one side of the body)
  • confusion
  • sudden headache

What you can do

Call your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of a blood clot while taking Duavee. If you have symptoms of a stroke or other side effects that seem life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Increased risk of dementia

Duavee has a boxed warning for the increased risk of probable dementia. The risk of dementia is higher in people ages 65 years and older who have been through menopause. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and mixed-type dementia (having features of both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia). It’s not known how many people developed dementia in clinical studies of the drug. Dementia can cause symptoms affecting memory, communication, and thinking, which may include:

  • feeling confused or lost
  • difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • forgetting where you’ve put everyday items
  • changes in personality or mood
  • difficulty communicating

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about developing dementia while taking Duavee. They can discuss the benefits and risks of therapy with you.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Duavee.

Duavee has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Before taking Duavee, discuss your health history with your doctor. Duavee 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:

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.