Estradiol transdermal

Estradiol transdermal is a prescription medication used to treat certain symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. This medicine is also used to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis or to treat ovarian disorders.

• Estradiol transdermal is available under various brand names: Alora, Climara, Dotti, Esclim, Estraderm, Estradiol Patch, Fempatch, Lyllana, Menostar, Minivelle, Vivelle, Vivelle-Dot

Common side effects of Estradiol transdermal include:

• headache, back pain.
• stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat.
• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in the menstrual periods, and breakthrough bleeding.
• bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting.
• breast pain.
• redness or irritation where the patch was worn.
• thinning scalp hair; or
• fluid retention (swelling, rapid weight gain).

Serious side effects of Estradiol transdermal include:

• hives. 
• difficult breathing.
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.
• increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.
• signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs.
• swelling or tenderness in your stomach.
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain.
• a breast lump.
• memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior; or
• high levels of calcium in your blood--nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, and lack of energy.

Rare side effects of Estradiol transdermal include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Transdermal patch

• 0.025 mg
• 0.0375 mg
• 0.05 mg
• 0.06 mg
• 0.075 mg
• 0.1 mg

Menopausal symptoms and postmenopausal osteoporosis

Adult dosage

• Apply the skin patch to clean, dry skin on your stomach or buttocks. Press the patch firmly into place for at least 10 seconds. Choose a different spot within these skin areas each time you apply a new patch. Do not use the same skin area twice within 7 days. Avoid skin that is irritated or damaged.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Estradiol transdermal has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • ospemifene
• Estradiol transdermal has serious interactions with at least 35 other drugs.
• Estradiol transdermal has moderate interactions with at least 178 other drugs.
• Estradiol transdermal has minor interactions with at least 32 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Estradiol
• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.
• liver disease.
• coronary artery disease.
• a bleeding disorder.
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot; or
• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina. 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Estradiol transdermal?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Estradiol transdermal?”

Cautions

• You should not use estradiol if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, coronary artery disease, if you will have major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
• Do not use it if you are pregnant.
• Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.
• Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia.
• Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because this medicine may increase your risk of developing these conditions.
• Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using estradiol.
• Grapefruit may interact with estradiol and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
• Avoid using creams, lotions, or powders on the skin where you apply the patch, or it may not stick to your skin.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use estradiol if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Lactation

• Using estradiol may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this risk.
• Estradiol can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.