Estradiol (Absorbed Through The Skin)

Estradiol (es-tra-DYE-ole)

Treats symptoms of menopause and lack of estrogen, and helps to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.

Brand Name(s):

Vivelle-Dot, Climara, Estraderm, Vivelle, Esclim, Alora
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to estrogen, if you may be pregnant, or if you have breast cancer or certain other types of cancer, a history of blood-clotting problems, or unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by your doctor.

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more patches than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors.
• The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
• Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Put on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to wear a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to apply the patch and skip the missed dose.
• Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Fold any used patch in half with the sticky sides together, and throw it away so that children or pets cannot get to it.
• Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Although it is unlikely that a postmenopausal woman might become pregnant, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, kidney or liver disease, or history of gall bladder or cholesterol or triglyceride problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Large doses of this medicine taken over long periods of time may increase the risk of some kinds of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Lumps in breast
• Sharp pain in lower legs or chest
• Sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge, or itching
• Yellow eyes or skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain
• Changes in hair growth
• Mild headache
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps
• Skin discoloration
• Skin redness, itching, where the patch is worn
• Swollen or tender breasts

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.