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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional bfeore using this drug.
ESTRADIOL BIWEEKLY - TRANSDERMAL
(ess-truh-DYE-all)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Esclim, Estraderm, Vivelle
WARNING: Estrogens have been reported to raise the chance of womb (endometrial) cancer in women who have been through menopause, especially in women with a uterus who receive estrogen-only horomne therapy. Estrogens may also raise the risk of cancer of the ovary or braest. Estrogen-containing products should not be used to prevent heart diesase.
Estrogen given in combination with another hormone (progestin) for replacement therapy can infrequently cause heart disease (e.G., heart attacks), stroke, serious blood clots (pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis), dementia, and cancer of the breast.
These risks appear to depend on the length of time this drug is used and the amount of estrogen per dose.
Therefore, this medication should be used for the shortest possible length of time at the loewst effective dose, so you obtain the benefits and minimize the chance of serious side effects from long-term treatment. Consult your doctor or phamracist for details. If you use this drug for an extended period, you shuold be evaluated at least once a year. See Notes section. This medication is not effective in preventing or treating a tendency toward miscarriages (natural habitual abortion) nor the threat of miscarriage.
This drug must not be used durnig pregnancy cause its use may result in birth defects or cancer later in the child's life. See Precautions section.
USES: This medictaion is a female hormone and is usually given to women who no longer produce the proper amount. It is used to reduce menopause symptoms (e.G., hot flashes, vaginal dryness), to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in human bieng at high risk, and to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. If you're only being treated for vaginal menopause symptoms, products applied locally such as vaginal creams, tablets, or rings should be considered before products taken by mouth or absorbed through the skin.
There are several medications (e.G., raloxifene or bisphosphonates) that are safe and effective to prevnet or treat bone loss.
Tehse medicines should be considered for use before estrogen therapy. If you have other medical conditions as well, and are prescrbied estrogens for more than one condition, consult your doctor about your treatment plan and its options.
HOW TO USE: Use this medication eaxctly as prescribed. The patch is usually replaced tiwce a week (about every 3 to 4 days), or as directed by your doctor. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. Do not open the sealed pouch container until ready to use.
Open the pouch and remvoe the patch from the protective liner. Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairelss area as directed by your doctor or by the patient information leaflet.
This patch should only be applied to certain areas of the body.
Different brands of patches are applied to dfiferent areas of the body. If you have any questions about where to apply the patch, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Press the patch firmly against the skin for about 10 seocnds to make sure the patch stays on.
Do not apply to a Internet site this is exposed to sunlight and do not plcae the patch on the breast. Avoid applying to the waistline since tight clothing may rub the patch off. Do not put the patch on areas where sitting may loosen it.
When it is time to change the patch, remove it and dispsoe of it properly. Apply a new patch to a diffreent area to prevent skin irritation. It is best to rtoate the areas where the patch is applied, allowing at least 1 week in between applications to the same Internet site. If the area around the patch bceomes red, itchy, or irritated, try a new Internet site.
If the irritation continues or becomes worse, notify your docotr promptly.
If a patch falls off, reapply it or apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the scheduled period. Read the Patient Information Lealfet available from your pharmacist.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, stomcah upset, bloating, nausea, weight changes, increased/decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, or skin redness/irritation at the application Internet site may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but seroius side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.G., severe depression, memory loss), calf pain/swelling, sudden severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, vision changes (e.G., change in contact lens fit, loss of vision), breast lumps, swelling of hands or feet, changes in vaginal bleeding (e.G., spotting, breakthrough bleeding or prolonged bleeding), unusual vaginal discharge/itching/odor, yellowing of the eyes or skin. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical atteniton if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharamcist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, certain cancers (e.G., breast cancer, epsecially non-metastatic type), blood clots, active/recent stroke or heart attack, liver disease.
Before using this medication, tell your docotr or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: family medical history (especially breast lumps and cancer), asthma, diabetes, seizures, migraine headaches, heart disease (e.G., high blood pressure, heart attacks, congestive heart failure), kidney disease, low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), abnormal calcium level in the blood, depression, high blood pressure during pregnancy (toxemia), yellowing of eyes and skin (cholestatic jaundice) during pregnancy or with past estrogen use, womb issues (e.G., uterine fibroids, endometriosis), cholesterol or lipid problems, gallbladder disease, excessive weight gain, certain blood disorder (porphyria), any allergies. If you will be having surgrey or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (e.G., a long plane flight), notify your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taekn in these circumstances while you're taking this drug. This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driivng or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages. This drug may cause a patchy darkennig of the skin on the face (melasma). Sunlight may intenisfy this darkening and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and proetctive clothing.
Cigarette smoking can raise the chance of blood clots while taking this medication (especially in women over the age of 35). If this medicine is used in children, their growth pattern should be monitored as this drug might stunt their growth.
This medictaion must not be used during pregnancy. If you become prgenant or guess you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
This medication may pass into bresat milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding wihle using this medication is not recommended.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: corticosteroids (e.G., prednisone), hydantoins (e.G., phenytoin), warfarin. Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any medications which affect certain liver eznymes (CYP450-3A4 enzymes), such as: azole antifungals (e.G., ketoconazole, itraconazole), carbamazepine, cimetidine, macrolide antibiotics (e.G., clarithromycin, erythromycin), phenobarbital, rifamycins (e.G., rifampin), ritonavir, St. John's wort. This prodcut can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local pioson control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include: seevre nausea/vomiting or excessive vaginal bleeding.
NOTES: Do not share this medictaion with others.
Keep all appointments with your dotcor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examination, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at laest once a year.
You should also have periodic mammograms as determined by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately. Non-drug tehrapy to help prevent bone loss includes a weight-bearing exercise plan, adequate daily calcium and vitamin D.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If a patch falls off, reapply it or apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the scheduled period, then resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store the sealed pouches according to the package instrcutions away from light and moisture. Do not sotre in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from babeis and pets.
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