The
following information is a summary about Estradiol.
It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S)
Estinyl, Estrace, Menest, Ogen, Premarin, Tace
Estradiol USES
Estradiol is a hormone that is given to women who
no longer produce the proper amounts naturally.
Estradiol is used to reduce menopause symptoms
(e.g., hot flashes), for brittle bones (osteoporosis),
and for the treatment of certain cancers in both
men and women.
Estradiol DIRECTIONS
Take your Estradiol with food or immediately after
a meal to prevent stomach upset. Take Estradiol
as prescribed. Follow the dosing schedule carefully.
Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Estradiol SIDE EFFECTS
Estradiol cause dizziness, lightheadedness, headache,
stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. These effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
Notify your doctor if you experience: severe depression,
calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain,
shortness of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness
or tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of the
eyes or skin, changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting,
breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or complete stoppage
of bleeding), stomach pain, skin rash. If you notice
other effects not listed above, contact your doctor
or pharmacist.
Estradiol PRECAUTIONS
Before you take this medication, tell your doctor
your entire medical history, including: family
medical history (especially breast lumps and cancer),
high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy
(seizures), migraine headaches, liver disease,
heart disease, kidney disease, depression, toxemia
(high blood pressure during pregnancy), jaundice
(yellowing skin/eyes) during pregnancy, excessive
weight gain and fluid retention (bloating) during
menstrual cycle, uterine fibroid tumor, abnormal
vaginal bleeding, blood clots or stroke, cholesterol
or lipid problems, gallbladder disease. Before
having surgery, tell the doctor that you take this
drug. Depending on strength, this drug may cause
a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma).
Higher strengths are more likely to cause melasma.
Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may
need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps.
Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens
and protective clothing. Cigarette smoking can
increase the chance of blood-clots while taking
this medication (especially in women past the age
of 35). This drug should not be used during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant,
inform your doctor immediately. This drug may be
excreted into breast milk and its use is not recommended
while breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.
Estradiol DRUG INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription
drugs you may use, especially of: hydantoins (e.g.,
phenytoin), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital),
corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone). This product
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.
Estradiol OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison
control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms
of overdose may include nausea/vomiting or stoppage
of periods.
Estradiol NOTES
WARNING: This drug has been reported to
increase the chance of womb (endometrial) cancer
in women who have been through menopause. This
risk appears to depend on the length of time this
drug is used and the amount of estrogen per dose.
If you use this drug for an extended period, you
should be evaluated at least every 6 months. If
you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, notify
your doctor promptly. 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 during pregnancy because
its use may result in birth defects or cancer later
in the child's life. If you become pregnant or
think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor
immediately to discuss the risk to the fetus.
Do not share Estradiol with others. Inform all
your doctors you use (or have used) Estradiol.
MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use Estradiol as soon as you
remember. If it is near the time of the next dose,
skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing
schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch
up.
Estradiol STORAGE
Store Estradiol at room temperature between 59
and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C)
away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in
the bathroom.
