Duavee (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene) is a prescription drug that’s used to manage certain symptoms of menopause. The drug comes as a tablet you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.
Duavee is prescribed for females* who have a uterus to:
- help prevent osteoporosis after menopause
- treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, flushing, and night sweats
Duavee contains two active ingredients: conjugated estrogens (a mixture of several types of estrogen) and bazedoxifene. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Conjugated estrogens are a type of hormone replacement therapy, and bazedoxifene belongs to a group of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
This article describes the dosage of Duavee, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Duavee, see this in-depth article.
* In this article, we use the term “female” to define sex assigned at birth. To learn about differences between sex and gender, see this article.
This section describes the usual dosage of Duavee. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Duavee’s form?
Duavee is available as an oral tablet you swallow.
What strength does Duavee come in?
Duavee contains two active ingredients in one tablet. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Duavee comes in one strength: conjugated estrogens 0.45 milligrams (mg) and bazedoxifene 20 mg.
What are the usual dosages of Duavee?
Your doctor will start you on the recommended dosage of Duavee to treat your symptoms. Duavee is only prescribed for females who have a uterus. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, your doctor won’t prescribe Duavee.
The information below describes the dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for preventing osteoporosis after menopause
The Duavee dosage to prevent osteoporosis in adult females after menopause is one tablet taken once per day.
Dosage for moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause
The typical Duavee dosage in adult females to treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, is one tablet taken once per day.
Is Duavee used long term?
No. Duavee isn’t usually a long-term treatment. Your doctor will prescribe Duavee for the shortest time to treat your symptoms while keeping your side effect risks low. They’ll monitor your response to treatment and discuss how long you’ll likely take the medication based on your symptoms and the risks of the medication.
Duavee is available as an oral tablet you swallow. You can take it with or without food. Don’t crush, cut, or chew Duavee tablets. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Duavee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss a dose of Duavee, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. Do not take two doses of Duavee to catch up on a missed dose. This can increase your risk for side effects of Duavee. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Duavee on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Duavee than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- breast tenderness
- nausea/vomiting
- abdominal pain
- fatigue (feeling tired)
- drowsiness
- withdrawal bleeding (bleeding that happens when you stop taking hormones such as estrogen)
What to do in case you take too much Duavee
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Duavee. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Duavee’s dosage.
Is Duavee’s dosage similar to the dosages of Estrace or Fosamax?
No. The forms, approved uses, and how often you take each drug are different. For example, Fosamax is available in once-per-day and once-per-week forms, while Duavee and Estrace are only available in once-per-day forms. See the table below for details about the uses and forms of these drugs.
| Drug | Active ingredient* | Uses | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duavee | conjugated estrogen/ bazedoxifene | • prevent osteoporosis • treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause | oral tablet |
| Estrace | estradiol | • prevent osteoporosis • treat vasomotor or non-vasomotor symptoms of menopause† | • oral tablet • vaginal cream |
| Fosamax | alendronate | treat or prevent osteoporosis | • oral tablet • oral solution |
* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
† Estrace oral tablet is approved to treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause, while Estrace vaginal cream is approved to treat non-vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness.
The dose in mg for each drug differs. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and dosage that’s right for you. To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Duavee to start working?
Duavee starts to work after your first dose. Based on studies of the medication, it may take several weeks before you notice improvements in vasomotor symptoms, such as fewer hot flashes or night sweats. Duavee starts working right away to lower your risk for bone fractures by strengthening your bones.
Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition. They’ll only prescribe Duavee for the shortest amount of time to manage your condition while keeping your side effect risks low.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Duavee treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Duavee for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Duavee without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Duavee exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will I need a dosage adjustment for Duavee if I’m taking other medications for osteoporosis?
- Can I take Duavee every other day to lower my risk of side effects?
To learn more about Duavee, see this article:
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.
