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Changing Things Up For "The Big Change"

By July 21, 2014 - 3:51pm
Sponsored By Brisdelle
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It's that time. "The Big Change." Menopause is a stage in every woman's life. Chances are, by now you've been told what to expect—irritability, discomfort, and, maybe the most common symptom of all, hot flashes. Hot flashes are embarrassing, inconvenient, can show up at the worst times and can last for up to 5 years. In fact, 10% of women suffering from hot flashes report that their symptoms have persisted for more than 10 years. So, because most women experiencing menopause deal with hot flashes, here are some simple lifestyle adjustments you can make to help manage them.

Food fix. If you’ve been meaning to change your diet, now is the time. Cutting out or limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods is recommended during menopause, as well as making sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D. If you're a smoker, cutting back or, ideally, quitting will also help lower the severity of hot flashes.

Hello hydration! Staying hydrated is important as you get older. If a hot flash does occur, sipping a glass of cold water or juice can help ease hot flashes. It's also not a bad idea to keep a thermos of ice water nearby, on your bedside table or at your desk.

The wardrobe “make-over”: Think layers: Dress as lightly as possible when appropriate. If the weather is cold, it's a good idea to dress in layers and remove them when you feel a hot flash coming on.

Get moving. If you don't already, get into an exercise regimen. Exercising can improve quality of life and can help reduce hot flashes. Find out which exercises work best for you, or consult a personal trainer to gauge what you can do to start off your exercise routine.

Change is in the air: Brisdelle. Brisdelle® (paroxetine) is the only non-hormonal prescription treatment option proven to reduce moderate to severe hot flashes during menopause. And the bedtime dose provides 24-hour relief. Brisdelle is specifically designed for women suffering from moderate to severe hot flashes during menopause, and it's FDA-approved, so it's safe and effective when used as directed. Consult our discussion guide and talk to your doctor about your symptoms and to see if Brisdelle may be for you.

For more information on how to take Brisdelle, what to expect, and how to pay no more than $25 on each prescription*, visit www.brisdelle.com or call 1-800-455-8070 for live customer support.

* For eligible patients only. See offer for the full terms and conditions.


INDICATION

BRISDELLE® (paroxetine) capsules is a prescription medicine used to reduce moderate to severe hot flashes associated with menopause.

BRISDELLE is not approved to treat depression or any other psychiatric conditions.


IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about BRISDELLE?

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or go to the nearest emergency room:

Suicidal thoughts or actions:
  • BRISDELLE, and related antidepressant medicines, may increase suicidal thoughts or actions within the first few months of treatment.
  • Depression or other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Watch for these changes and call your healthcare provider right away if you notice:
  • New or sudden changes in mood, behavior, actions, thoughts, or feelings, especially if severe.
  • Pay particular attention to such changes when BRISDELLE is started.

Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider and call between visits if you are worried about symptoms.

Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if there are new, worse, or worry you:
  • Attempts to commit suicide; acting on dangerous impulses; acting aggressive or violent; thoughts about suicide or dying; new or worse depression; new or worse anxiety or panic attacks; feeling agitated, restless, angry, or irritable; trouble sleeping; an increase in activity or talking more than what is normal for you or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Serotonin Syndrome. This condition can be life-threatening and may include: Nervousness, hallucinations, coma, or other changes in mental status; coordination problems or small movements of the muscles that you cannot control; racing heartbeat, high or low blood pressure; sweating or fever; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; muscle rigidity; dizziness; flushing; tremors; seizures.

Reduced effectiveness of tamoxifen: Tamoxifen (a medicine used to treat breast cancer) may not work as well if it is taken at the same time as BRISDELLE. If you are taking tamoxifen, tell your healthcare provider before starting BRISDELLE.

Abnormal bleeding: BRISDELLE may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising, especially if you take the blood thinner warfarin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin.

Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood: Elderly people may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include: headache; weakness or feeling unsteady; confusion, problems concentrating or thinking or memory problems.

Bone Fractures: Women who take BRISDELLE may have a higher risk of bone fractures.

Manic episodes: Greatly increased energy; severe trouble sleeping; racing thoughts; reckless behavior; unusually grand ideas; excessive happiness or irritability; talking more or faster than usual.

Seizures or convulsions.

Restlessness: Women who take BRISDELLE may feel an inner restlessness, nervousness, or be unable to sit still or stand still especially when they start taking BRISDELLE.

Visual symptoms.


Who should not take BRISDELLE?

Do not take BRISDELLE if you:

  • Take a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
  • Do not take an MAOI within 14 days of stopping BRISDELLE unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
  • Do not start BRISDELLE if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
  • People who take BRISDELLE close in time to an MAOI may have serious or life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • High fever, uncontrolled muscle spasms, stiff muscles, rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure, confusion, loss of consciousness (pass out).
  • Take thioridazine or pimozide. Do not take thioridazine or pimozide together with BRISDELLE because this can cause serious heart problems or sudden death.
  • Are allergic to paroxetine or any of the ingredients in BRISDELLE.
  • Are pregnant. BRISDELLE is not for pregnant women. Paroxetine can harm your unborn baby.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting BRISDELLE?

Before starting BRISDELLE, tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • Have liver or kidney problems; bipolar disorder or mania; low sodium levels in your blood; glaucoma (high pressure in the eye); have or had seizures, convulsions, or bleeding problems; have any other medical conditions; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines such as migraine headache medication (triptans), other antidepressants and antipsychotics, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

If you take BRISDELLE, you should not take any other medicines that contain paroxetine, including Paxil®, Paxil CR®, and Pexeva®.

What should I avoid while taking BRISDELLE?

You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how BRISDELLE affects you.

What are the most common side effects of BRISDELLE?

The most common possible side effects of BRISDELLE include: headache; tiredness; nausea and vomiting.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of BRISDELLE.

Please read the Medication Guide within the full Prescribing Information before taking BRISDELLE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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