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What is estradiol oral?
Estradiol is a form of estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone necessary for many processes in the body. Estradiol is used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. It is also used to prevent osteoporosis in women and men. Estradiol is sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men. Estradiol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of estradiol oral?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• pain or swelling in your lower leg;

• abnormal vaginal bleeding;

• pain, swelling, or tenderness in your stomach;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• a lump in your breast.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• swollen breasts;

• acne or skin color changes;

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

• migraine headaches or dizziness;

• vaginal pain, dryness, or discomfort;

• swelling of your ankles or feet;

• depression; or

• changes in your menstrual periods, break-through bleeding.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I use estradiol oral?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medication with a full glass of water. You may take estradiol with food or after a meal to reduce stomach upset. Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using estradiol. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What is the most important information I should know about estradiol oral?
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Estradiol increases your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that may lead to cancer of the uterus. Taking progestins while using estradiol may lower this risk. If your uterus has not been removed, your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take while you are using estradiol.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect estradiol oral?
Before using estradiol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: St. John's wort; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); ritonavir (Norvir); cimetidine (Tagamet); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, Ery-Tab), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox); If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use estradiol or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Estradiol has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Estradiol is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Estrogenic agents have been associated with urogenital abnormalities in offspring that manifest later in life. Vaginal adenosis, squamous cell dysplasia of the uterine cervix and vaginal cancer have developed later in life in female offspring. In male offspring, the risks of urogenital abnormalities and testicular cancer later in life are increased.

Limited data are available on the excretion of estradiol into human milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers estradiol to be usually compatible with breast-feeding despite reports of "withdrawal" and "vaginal bleeding". Estradiol has been shown to decrease to quantity and quality of the milk. Estrogens are not indicated for the prevention of postpartum breast engorgement. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering estradiol to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding.
• Known or suspected breast cancer or history of breast cancer (except when used for palliative treatment of metastatic disease in appropriately selected individuals).
• Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia.
• Active DVT or pulmonary embolism; history of DVT or pulmonary mbolism.
• Active or recent (within past year) arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., stroke, MI).
• Porphyria.
• Liver disease or impairment.
• Known or suspected pregnancy.
• Known hypersensitivity to estrogens or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Estradiol in fixed combination with drospirenone (Angeliq^®) should not be used in women predisposed to hyperkalemia (i.e., those with renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or adrenal insufficiency).

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What does my medication look like?
Estradiol oral is available with a prescription under the brand names Estrace, Femtrace, and Gynodiol. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an estradiol overdose may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before using estradiol oral?
Do not use estradiol if you have: a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; a history of stroke or circulation problems; abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked; or any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer. Before using estradiol, tell your doctor if you have: high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease; high cholesterol or triglycerides; liver disease; kidney disease; asthma; epilepsy or other seizure disorder; migraines; diabetes; depression; gallbladder disease; or

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
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