Estradiol transdermal (skin patch)

Estradiol is a type of estrogen, which is a female sex hormone made by the ovaries. Estrogen is important for many functions in the body.

Estradiol transdermal skin patches are used to help with some symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. Estradiol transdermal is also used to prevent osteoporosis after menopause, or to treat ovarian disorders.

Estradiol transdermal may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use estradiol if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, coronary artery disease, if you will have major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Do not use if you are pregnant.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

Using estradiol transdermal can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia.

You should not use estradiol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• 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.

Do not use estradiol if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.

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).

Using estradiol may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

Estradiol can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

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

Remove the skin patch and call your doctor right away if you have:

• 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 of estradiol transdermal 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.

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.

Do not apply a skin patch to your breasts. Do not apply a patch where it might be rubbed off by tight clothing, such as under an elastic waistband. Never cut a skin patch.

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.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Your doctor may prescribe a progestin to help lower this risk. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using estradiol transdermal 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.

Store patches at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each patch in its pouch until you are ready to use it.

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.

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using estradiol transdermal (skin patch).

Grapefruit may interact with estradiol transdermal 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.

Sometimes, using certain medications together is not safe. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or reduce how well the medications work.

Other drugs can affect estradiol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medicine you begin or stop using.