Estradot patches

In the years leading up to menopause, the amount of the oestrogen produced by a woman’s body drops. This can cause symptoms such as hot face, neck and chest (‘hot flashes’).

Estradot patches contain the oestrogen hormone estradiol. The active ingredient is absorbed through the skin to replace the oestrogen that the body is no longer producing. As a result, menopausal symptoms are reduced. You will only be prescribed Estradot if your symptoms seriously hinder your daily life.

An Estradot patch should be replaced twice weekly (every three to four days). It is best to always replace it on the same two days of the week (e.g., Monday and Thursday).

Estradot should be worn continuously until it is time to replace it with a new patch.

Apply the patch to the lower abdomen, below the waistline. Avoid the waistline itself, since clothing may cause the patch to rub off. Do not apply the patch to the breasts or any area near to the breasts.

When changing your patch, based on your twice-a-week schedule, apply your new patch to a different site. Do not apply a new patch to that same area for at least one week.

Before you apply Estradot, make sure that your skin is:

• clean, dry and cool
• free of any powder, oil, moisturiser or lotion
• free of cuts and/or irritation

For more information on how to apply, wear and remove Estradot patches, please see the package leaflet. If you have any questions, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The use of HRT carries risks which need to be considered when deciding whether to start using it, or whether to carry on using it. Please refer to the package leaflet for more information.

Do not use Estradot if:

• You have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it.
• You have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it.
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated.
• You have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• You have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency).
• You have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina.
• You have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal.
• You have a rare blood problem called ‘porphyria' which is passed down in families (inherited).
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to estradiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

If any of the above conditions appear for the first time while using Estradot, stop using it at once and consult your doctor immediately.

Note: There are more warnings associated with the use of Estradot patches. These warnings are listed in the package leaflet. Always consult a doctor if you are unsure if Estradot is suitable for you.

Other medicines and Estradot

Some medicines may interfere with the effect of Estradot. For a list of these medicines, please see the package leaflet.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or other natural products.

• It is important that you use the lowest possible effective dose and only as long as needed. From time to time, you should discuss with your doctor whether you still need the treatment.
• If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using Estradot. You may need to stop using Estradot about four to six weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of a blood clot (see the package leaflet for more information).

Many medicines are only available on prescription. This also applies to Estradot. You can ask the doctor to write a prescription during an online consultation. With this prescription you can get Estradot patches from the pharmacy.

If you would like to know what Estradot patches cost, please check our order page for the current price. The cost of the online consultation is included in the price.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following diseases are reported more often in women using HRT compared to women not using HRT:

• Breast cancer.
• Abnormal growth or cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer).
• Ovarian cancer.
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism).
• Heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Probable memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65.

For more information on these and other serious side effects, see the package leaflet. Get emergency medical help if you experience serious side effects.

Other side effects

In addition, the following side effects have been reported with Estradot. If any of these gets severe, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Very common, may affect more than 1 in 10 people:

• Headache, skin reactions at the patch application site (redness, rash, itching), breast tension and pain, menstrual pains, menstrual disorder.

Common, may affect up to 1 in 10 people:

• Depression, nervousness, mood changes, sleeplessness, nausea (feeling sick), indigestion, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloated feeling, acne, rash, dry skin, itching, breast enlargement, heavy menstrual periods, a white or yellowish discharge from the vagina, irregular vaginal bleeding, severe uterine contractions, inflammation of the vagina, abnormal growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia), pain (e.g., back pain, arms, legs, wrists, ankles), weakness, fluid retention (oedema) in the extremities (hands and feet), weight changes.

Uncommon, may affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• Migraine, dizziness, increase in blood pressure, vomiting (being sick), skin discolouration, impaired liver function tests.

• Each 25 micrograms/24 hours patch contains 0.39 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate) and releases about 25 micrograms estradiol per 24 hours.
• Each 37.5 micrograms/24 hours patch contains 0.585 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate) and releases bout 37.5 micrograms estradiol per 24 hours.
• Each 50 micrograms/24 hours patch contains 0.78 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate) and releases about 50 micrograms estradiol per 24 hours.
• Each 75 micrograms/24 hours patch contains 1.17 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate) and releases about 75 micrograms estradiol per 24 hours.
• Each 100 micrograms/24 hours patch contains 1.56 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate) and releases about 100 micrograms estradiol per 24 hours.

• The active substance is estradiol (as hemihydrate).
• The other ingredients in the adhesive layer of the patch are: acrylic adhesive, silicone adhesive, oleyl alcohol, dipropylene glycol, povidone (E1201).
• The backing layer is composed of: ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, vinylidene/vinyl chloride copolymer, polyethylene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer co-extruded film, silicon dioxide/titanium dioxide.
• The release liner (to be removed before application) is a fluoropolymer-coated polyester film.