Estradiol



Alora®; Climara®; Delestrogen®; Depo®-Estradiol; Esclim®; Estrace®; Estraderm®; Estrasorb™; Estring®; EstroGel®; Femring™; Femtrace®; Gynodiol®; Menostar™; Vagifem®; Vivelle®; Vivelle-Dot®







Estradiol

(es tra DYE ole)

U.S. Brand Names
Alora®; Climara®; Delestrogen®; Depo®-Estradiol; Esclim®; Estrace®; Estraderm®; Estrasorb™; Estring®; EstroGel®; Femring™; Femtrace®; Gynodiol®; Menostar™; Vagifem®; Vivelle®; Vivelle-Dot®
Canadian Brand Names
Climara®; Depo®-Estradiol; Estrace®; Estraderm®; Estradot®; Estring®; EstroGel®; Menostar™; Oesclim®; Sandoz-Estradiol Derm 50; Sandoz-Estradiol Derm 75; Sandoz-Estradiol Derm 100; Vagifem®
Mexican Brand Names
Benzo-Ginestryl®; Climaderm®; Estraderm MTX®; Estraderm TTS®; Fem7®; Ginedisc®; Primogyn®; Systen®
Pharmacologic Category
Estrogen Derivative
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Estrogens, when used in females after menopause, may increase the risk of uterine cancer. Progestins may decrease this risk. A warning sign for cancer of the uterus is unusual vaginal bleeding. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding to healthcare provider. Do not take estrogens if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, call healthcare provider right away.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to estradiol or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots caused by estrogen use, breast cancer (except in certain cases where the cancer has spread), porphyria, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal females.
  • This medicine is used to treat vaginal irritation and dryness caused by menopause.
  • This medicine is used to stop or reduce the symptoms of menopause.
  • This medicine is used to treat ovarian removal, malfunction, or failure.
  • Rarely, this medicine is used to treat a variety of breast or prostate cancers.
How does it work?
  • When the body no longer produces estrogen, this medicine is used as an estrogen replacement.
How is it best taken?
  • Injection:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.
  • Oral:
  • Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
  • Take this medicine with food.
  • This medicine works best when used with calcium/vitamin D supplements and weight-bearing exercises like walking or physical therapy.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
  • Skin emulsion:
  • Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin.
  • Apply contents of one pouch to one thigh. Rub into thigh and calf.
  • Apply contents of second pouch to other thigh. Rub into thigh and calf.
  • Apply emulsion left on your hands to buttocks.
  • Wash hands after use.
  • Allow to dry before covering with clothing.
  • Skin gel:
  • Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin of one arm from shoulder to wrist.
  • Apply gel at a similar time of day.
  • Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying.
  • Wash hands after use.
  • Allow to dry before covering with clothing.
  • Avoid fire, flames, or smoking until the gel has dried.
  • Skin patch:
  • Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin. Move site with each patch.
  • Do not place on breast.
  • Vaginal cream/tablet:
  • Use cream or tablet vaginally.
  • Wash your hands and applicator after use.
  • Vaginal ring:
  • Insert vaginally and leave in place for 90 days.
  • Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read the package insert.
  • Remove ring on the beginning of the thirteenth week.
  • Insert a new ring.
  • To insert, wash your hands and remove ring from protective pouch.
  • Press sides of ring together between thumb and index finger and insert folded ring into vagina.
  • Perfect placement is not required for ring to be effective. Ring should be comfortable.
  • To remove, hook index finger around rim or hold rim between index finger and middle finger and pull out.
  • Do not throw the vaginal ring in the toilet.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Skin patch:
  • Apply a missed patch as soon as possible after removing the old one.
  • Start a new schedule after patch is replaced.
  • Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.
  • There may be a higher risk of endometrial or breast cancer.
  • If you have asthma, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking a blood thinner, you will require more frequent monitoring.
  • If you have any circulation problems, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have high calcium levels, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have migraines, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Do not take St John's wort, dong quai, black cohosh, saw palmetto, red clover, or ginseng with this medicine.
  • Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 years of age and/or smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day are at an increased risk for heart disease.
  • Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
  • Skin emulsion:
  • Do not apply sunscreen to legs before using emulsion or soon after using emulsion.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Headache.
  • Belly pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Swelling.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Breast enlargement.
  • Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.
  • For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
  • Gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and other vascular problems can rarely occur.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
  • Check blood work (cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Have a yearly eye exam.
  • Bone density test.
  • Periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and yearly gynecologic exams are important.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
  • Severe headache.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Not hungry.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Change in contact lens tolerance.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Injection:
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
  • Read the package insert for more details.
Brand Names: