estradiol transdermal (skin patch)

What is the most important information I should know about estradiol transdermal?

What is estradiol transdermal?

Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body.

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

Estradiol transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using estradiol transdermal?

• 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.

Using estradiol 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.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• liver problems, or jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;
• a thyroid disorder;
• gallbladder disease;
• kidney disease;
• asthma;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• migraine headaches;
• lupus;
• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
• endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
• high levels of calcium in your blood; or
• hereditary angioedema (an immune system disorder).

How should I use estradiol transdermal?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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.

If a patch falls off, try sticking it back into place. If it does not stick well, put on a new patch on a different skin area and leave it on only for the rest of your wearing time. Do not change your patch removal schedule.

Remove the patch and apply a new one on the same day(s) each week to stay on your once-weekly or twice-weekly schedule.

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.

Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis, and have regular mammograms while using estradiol transdermal.

After removing a skin patch, fold it in half so it sticks together. Discard the folded patch in a place children and pets cannot get to.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to change your patch, change it as soon as you remember or wait until your next scheduled patch change. Do not apply two patches at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using estradiol transdermal?

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.

What are the possible side effects of estradiol transdermal?

• 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 your 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, lack of energy.

Common side effects may include:

• headache, back pain;
• stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat;
• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual periods, 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).

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 transdermal?

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.

Other drugs may affect estradiol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. 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 transdermal.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 18.04. Revision date: 2/14/2020.