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Details:
Estradiol gel What is Estradiolgel?
ESTRADIOL gel contains a natural estrogen female hormone. Estradiol isessential for maintaining normal female functions and is normally produced bythe ovaries. After menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of thishormone. Estradiol can help relieve symptoms ofmenopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. What should I tell my health careprovider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•asthma
•blood vessel disease, blood clotting disorder, or suffered a stroke
•breast, cervical, endometrial or uterine cancer
•diabetes
•fibroids in the womb, or endometriosis
•heart, kidney or liver disease
•high blood lipids or cholesterol
•high blood pressure
•high level of calcium in the blood
•hysterectomy
•mental depression
•migraine
•porphyria
•systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
•tobacco smoker
•vaginal bleeding
•an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, other hormones, soy, othermedicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding How should this medicine be used?
This medicine is for external use only. Follow the directions on theprescription label. Use exactly as directed. Your health care provider willshow you how to apply this medicine. A patient information sheet will be givenwith each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. Thesheet may change frequently.
Apply this medicine at the same time each day to clean, dry, unbroken skin. Ifyou take a bath or shower or use a sauna, apply this medicine after the bath,shower, or sauna, and once the skin is dry. Directions about swimming andapplying sunscreen while using this medicine can be found in the patientinformation sheet. Avoid fire, flame or smoking until gel has dried. Do notapply to the breast.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of thismedicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to use this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. If it isalmost time to apply the next dose, skip the missed dose and get back on yournormal schedule. Do not use extra or double doses. What drug(s) may interact with Estradiol?
•anastrozole
•some antibiotics used to treat infections
•some medications used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)infection or AIDS
•ascorbic acid/vitamin C supplements
•barbiturates or benzodiazepines used for inducing sleep or treatingseizures (convulsions)
•bromocriptine
•carbamazepine
•cimetidine
•clofibrate
•cyclosporine
•dantrolene
•medications for diabetes
•exemestane
•griseofulvin
•hormones
•hydrocortisone, cortisone, or prednisolone
•imipramine or some other antidepressants
•isoniazid (INH)
•letrozole
•methotrexate
•mineral oil
•phenytoin
•raloxifene or tamoxifen
•rifabutin, rifampin,or rifapentine
•some medications for treating migraines
•sunscreens
•testolactone
•theophylline
•thyroid hormones
•topiramate
•tricyclic antidepressants
•warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines youare taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, orherbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if youare a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if youuse illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check withyour health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines What side effects may I noticefrom receiving Estradiol?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health careprofessional as soon as possible:
•breakthrough bleeding and spotting
•breast enlargement, tenderness, unusual discharge or milk production
•chest pain
•leg, arm or groin pain
•nausea, vomiting
•severe headaches
•stomach or abdominal pain (severe)
•sudden shortness of breath
•swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain
•vision or speech problems
•yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to yourprescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•change in sexual desire
•irritation or mild redness at the application site
•increased or decreased appetite
•mild stomach upset
•mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotionaloutbursts
•skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the face
•tiredness
•vaginal yeast infection (irritation and white discharge)
•weight gain What should I watch for while taking Estradiol?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on yourprogress. You should have a complete check-up every 6 months. You will need aregular breast and pelvic exam and "Pap" smear. Youshould also discuss the need for regular mammograms with your health careprofessional, and follow his or her guidelines for these tests. If you have anyunusual bleeding contact your prescriber or health care professional foradvice.
If you have any reason to think you are pregnant; stop using the topical gel atonce and contact your prescriber or health care professional.
Tobacco smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a strokewhile you are using estradiol topical gel, especiallyif you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin tofeel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
In women who still have their uterus, estrogensincrease the risk of developing a condition (endometrial hyperplasia) that maylead to cancer of the lining of the uterus. Taking progestins,another hormone drug, with estrogens lowers the risk of developing thiscondition. Therefore, if your uterus has not been removed (bya hysterectomy), your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take togetherwith your estrogen. You should know, however, that taking estrogens withprogestins may have additional health risks. Youshould discuss the use of estrogens and progestinswith your health care professional to determine the benefits and risks for you.
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