Estraderm (Estradiol)

(℞) Prescription Required

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Estraderm MX 25mcg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: Merus Labs Inc
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Estraderm is also marketed as Estraderm MX
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Estraderm MX 25mcg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by Merus Labs Inc
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Estraderm MX 50mcg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: Norgine Limited
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Estraderm is also marketed as Estraderm MX
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Estraderm MX 50mcg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by Norgine Limited
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Estraderm MX 75mcg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: Merz Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm is also marketed as Estraderm MX
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Estraderm MX 75mcg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm MX 100mcg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: Merus Labs Inc
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Estraderm is also marketed as Estraderm MX
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Estraderm MX 100mcg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by Merus Labs Inc
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Estraderm MX 25mcg

Product of Australia
Manufactured by: Juno Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm MX 25mcg
Product of Australia
Manufactured by Juno Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm MX 50mcg

Product of Australia
Manufactured by: Juno Pharmaceuticals
*Product image for reference use only.
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Estraderm MX 50mcg
Product of Australia
Manufactured by Juno Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm MX 100mcg

Product of Australia
Manufactured by: Juno Pharmaceuticals
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**Med currently on back order**
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Estraderm MX 100mcg
Product of Australia
Manufactured by Juno Pharmaceuticals
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Estraderm (estradiol) Dosage and Side Effects

ESTRADERM is used to treat and prevent hot flushes in women experiencing menopause. ESTRADERM gel is also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, and burning in menopausal women. The medicine may also be used to prevent osteoporosis, replace estrogen in women with ovarian failure, or as part of a cancer treatment regimen.

Warnings and Precautions

ESTRADERM can increase the risk that you will develop endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). If you have not had a hysterectomy, you should take progestin along with ESTRADERM to decrease this risk.

However, before taking these two medicines together, talk with your doctor about your risk for other health problems.

In one study, women who took estrogens (such as ESTRADERM) by mouth with progestin had a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia.

Women who use topical ESTRADERM alone or with progestin may also have a higher risk of developing these conditions.

Using topical ESTRADERM may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer and gallbladder disease. You should talk to your doctor about these risks.

Before taking ESTRADERM, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

  • A heart attack or stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Blood clots
  • Any type of cancer
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Gallbladder disease
  • A thyroid disorder
  • Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
  • Liver disease
  • Lupus
  • Breast lumps or abnormal mammogram results
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Migraine headaches
  • Endometriosis (a condition where the type of tissue that lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body, usually the abdomen or pelvis)
  • Low levels of calcium in your blood
  • Porphyria (a condition where abnormal substances build up in the blood)

Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or use tobacco products.

You should use the lowest dose of ESTRADERM for the shortest time possible to control your symptoms.

Talk with your doctor every three to six months to determine if you should lower your dose or stop using this medicine.

You should conduct a breast self-exam every month and have a mammogram and clinical breast exam (a breast exam by a health professional) every year to help detect breast cancer.

Tell your doctor if you are having surgery or will be on bed rest while taking ESTRADERM. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking the medication to decrease the risk of blood clots.

The topical medicine may harm other people who touch your skin. You should not let anyone else touch the skin where you applied ESTRADERM for one hour after application.

If someone does touch the area, he or she should wash his or her hands with soap and water immediately.

Pregnancy and ESTRADERM

ESTRADERM can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. You should not use this medication while pregnant.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or might become pregnant while taking this drug.

Since ESTRADERM can also pass into breast milk, talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while taking the drug.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects of ESTRADERM

You should tell your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • Breast pain or tenderness
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Mood changes or depression
  • Nervousness
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Changes in sexual desire
  • Back pain
  • Runny nose, cough, or flu-like symptoms
  • Hair loss or unwanted hair growth
  • Darkening of facial skin
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Swelling, redness, burning, irritation, or itching of the vagina
  • Redness or irritation at the site of application

ESTRADERM and Weight Gain

Water retention that increases your weight is a common side effect.

Talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose of ESTRADERM if weight gain becomes a problem.

Serious Side Effects of ESTRADERM

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Sudden, severe vomiting
  • Speech problems
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Sudden, complete or partial loss of vision or double vision
  • Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
  • Crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
  • Coughing up blood
  • Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Breast lumps or other breast changes
  • Nipple discharge
  • Difficulty thinking clearly or remembering
  • Pain, tenderness, or redness in one leg
  • Bulging eyes
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Itching
  • Stomach tenderness, pain, or swelling
  • Hives, rash, or blisters
  • Movements that are difficult to control
  • Hoarseness
  • Wheezing
  • Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • Difficulty swallowing

Interactions with this medication

You should tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), illegal or recreational drugs; herbal remedies; and nutritional or dietary supplements you're taking, especially:

  • Antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • St. John's wort
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol)
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • Erythromycin (E.E.S, Erythrocin)
  • Lovastatin (Alticor, Altoprev, Mevacor)
  • Medications for thyroid disease
  • Phenobarbital
  • Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifamate)
  • Ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra)

ESTRADERM and Grapefruit

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with ESTRADERM and cause unwanted side effects.

You should talk to your doctor before consuming any grapefruit products while taking ESTRADERM.

ESTRADERM and Other Interactions

You should avoid unnecessary sun exposure while taking ESTRADERM, since the gel may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Proper Use of this medication

Your dose of ESTRADERM will depend on the condition that is being treated.

ESTRADERM tablets in doses of 0.5 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, or 2 mg are typically given on a daily basis.

They can also be prescribed to be taken for three weeks, followed by one week of no medication.

The tablets can be taken more than once a day for some conditions.

The topical gel or emulsions are applied to the skin at the same time each day.

The vaginal ring is inserted in the vagina and left for three months at a time.

The patch should be applied to a dry, clean, hairless part of the trunk (but not the breasts). It should not be placed on irritated or damaged skin.

You should rotate the site of application, with at least one week between repeated applications to any one site.

ESTRADERM Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose include the following:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Drowsiness
  • Tender breasts
  • Discolored urine
  • Headache

If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose of ESTRADERM

If you miss a dose of oral ESTRADERM, take it as soon as you remember.

However, if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular schedule. Do not double up on doses.

If you forget a dose of ESTRADERM gel but remember more than 12 hours before your next scheduled dose, apply the missed dose immediately.

However, if you remember less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule.

Do not apply extra gel to make up for a missed one.

If you forget to apply ESTRADERM emulsion in the morning, apply it as soon as you remember.

Don't apply extra emulsion to make up for a missed dose.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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