What is the most important information I should know about estradiol?
You should not use this medicine if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, a bleeding disorder, 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 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.
What is estradiol?
Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone that regulates many processes in the body.
Estradiol is used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal changes, and to prevent osteoporosis (bone loss) in menopausal women.
Estradiol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking estradiol?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to estradiol, or if you have:
- unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
- liver disease;
- a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
- an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder; or
- a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
Do not use estradiol if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.
Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease;
- liver problems, or jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;
- kidney disease;
- gallbladder disease;
- asthma;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- migraines;
- lupus;
- endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
- hereditary angioedema;
- porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
- a thyroid disorder; or
- high levels of calcium in your blood.
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 breast-feeding.
How should I take estradiol?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that can lead to uterine cancer. To help lower this risk, your doctor may also want you to take a progestin. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.
Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis and have a mammogram every year while using estradiol.
If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using estradiol.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking estradiol?
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.
What are the possible side effects of estradiol?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
- 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);
- memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior;
- unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain;
- a lump in your breast; or
- high levels of calcium in your blood --nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, lack of energy.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps;
- mood changes, sleep problems (insomnia);
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat;
- weight gain;
- headache, back pain;
- breast pain;
- thinning scalp hair; or
- vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual periods, breakthrough bleeding.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect estradiol?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Many drugs can interact with estradiol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about estradiol.
