Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ESTRADIOL (es-tra-DYE-ol)
This medicine is an estrogen hormone used to provide relief of moderate to severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or sleep problems. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
THIS MEDICINE SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE, HEART ATTACKS, STROKES, OR DEMENTIA. Estrogens, with or without progestins, have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, dementia, serious blood clots (such as in the lungs or legs), cancer of the uterus, and breast cancer in some women. Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual vaginal bleeding while you use this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the benefits and risks of using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE SHOULD BE USED FOR THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME AT THE LOWEST EFFECTIVE DOSE TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS. Talk with your doctor regularly about your need to use this medicine. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are also taking azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole or itraconazole), barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), carbamazepine, HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir), hydantoins (such as phenytoin), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin or erythromycin), rifampin, St. John's wort, or thyroid hormones (such as levothyroxine). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OF ANY OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS including tobacco use, being severely overweight, abnormal blood calcium levels, diabetes, or if a member of your family has ever had a blood clot (such as in the lung or leg) or breast cancer. TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you have a history of abnormal mammograms or lumps in the breast; asthma; cancer; certain blood problems (such as porphyria); blood vessel problems; stroke; fluid retention; heart problems (such as heart attack or congestive heart failure); high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol or lipid levels; lupus; mood or mental problems (such as depression or dementia); migraine headaches; pancreas or gallbladder problems; kidney problems; growths in the liver; seizures; thyroid problems; uterus problems (such as endometriosis, growths in the uterus, or uterine fibroids); endometrial, cervical, or vaginal cancer; yellowing of the eyes or skin due to pregnancy or estrogen use; vision loss; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding; or a history of liver problems; blood clots in the lungs, legs, or eyes; breast or endometrial cancer; estrogen-dependent growths; or recent (within the past year) bleeding in the brain, stroke, or heart attack. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. YOU MUST PRIME THE PUMP before using it for the first time. To do this, remove the cap, unlock the pump, and press down on the spout 10 times. Discard any medicine that comes out in the trash can. The pump is now ready for use. THIS MEDICINE IS APPLIED to the area between the shoulder and upper arm. Apply this medicine to clean, intact skin only. Be sure the area is completely dry before applying this medicine. DO NOT APPLY THIS MEDICINE to skin that is irritated or broken, to your face, to your breasts, or in or around the vagina. TO USE A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, hold the pump with the tip facing the upper arm. Press the pump firmly and fully to dispense the medicine. Spread the medicine over the entire area of the upper arm and shoulder using only 2 fingers. Gently rub in well. Return the spout to the locked position and replace the cap after each use. WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and water immediately after using this medicine. Allow the area to dry for at least 5 minutes before dressing. IF YOU TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER, or use a sauna, apply this medicine afterwards. Be sure the area is completely dry before applying the medicine. IF YOU WILL BE SWIMMING, wait at least 2 hours before going into the water after applying this medicine. DO NOT ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE TO APPLY THIS MEDICINE FOR YOU OR TO COME INTO CONTACT with the application site for at least 2 hours after you apply this medicine. DO NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN to the application site for at least 25 minutes after applying this medicine. Do not apply sunscreen to the application site for more than 7 days in a row. DISCARD THE PUMP after the labeled number of doses has been used. If you are unsure of the number of doses in your container, ask your pharmacist. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature away from heat and light. This medicine is flammable. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking until the medicine has dried on your skin. Use this medicine at the same time each day. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible. If your next dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including mammograms, Pap smear, and blood pressure may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. YOU SHOULD PERFORM monthly self-breast exams and receive yearly breast exams from your doctor while you are using this medicine. Report any lumps to your doctor immediately. Talk with your doctor if you are unsure how to properly perform a self-breast exam. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure your doctors and laboratory personnel know you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (such as a long plane ride, bedrest, or having surgery). You may need to stop this medicine 4 to 6 weeks beforehand. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of this medicine if any of these conditions apply to you. EATING GRAPEFRUIT or drinking grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine may increase the amount of this medicine in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet. AVOID GETTING THIS MEDICINE IN YOUR EYES, nose, mouth, or vagina. IF YOU GET THIS MEDICINE IN YOUR EYE, rinse right away with warm clean water. Seek medical care if irritation develops. IF ANOTHER PERSON COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THIS MEDICINE, have them wash the area with soap and water right away. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE dark skin patches on your face (melasma). Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker. If patches develop, consult your doctor about the use of sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES and you develop problems with them or with your vision, contact your doctor as soon as possible. THIS MEDICINE MAY INCREASE THE RISK of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or similar problems. The risk may be greater if you smoke. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include breast pain or tenderness, breakthrough bleeding or spotting, mild hair loss, headache, mild nausea or vomiting, or stomach cramps or bloating. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience dizziness; signs of infection (such as fever, chills, sore throat); mental or mood changes; memory problems; migraine headache; severe or persistent redness or irritation at the application site; vaginal discharge, itching, or odor; or swelling of your hands or feet. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience breast lumps or discharge; calf or leg pain, tenderness, or swelling; chest pain; confusion; depression; fainting; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; severe, persistent, or recurring abnormal vaginal bleeding; slurred speech; severe or persistent stomach pain; severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness; shortness of breath; dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes; sudden unusual weight gain; swelling of your face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; vision problems including loss of vision or double vision; coughing up blood; or unusual hoarseness. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe or persistent nausea or vomiting, or severe or unusual vaginal bleeding.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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