The Food and Drug Administration announced that all estrogen drugs and drugs combining estrogen and progestin that are used to relieve symptoms of menopause must warn, in a black-rimmed box, of their health risks. A large federal study indicated that one drug, Prempro, increases the chance a woman will develop heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. But the agency said that unless other drugs are proved to be safer, doctors and women must assume that they carry the same risks. Gina Kolata

 

Published: 01 - 12 - 2003 , Late Edition - Final , Section 4 , Column 3 , Page 2