Estrace

Estrace

What is Estrace?

Estrace is used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal changes, as well as to prevent osteoporosis (bone loss) in menopausal women, and as estrogen replacement in women with ovarian failure or other conditions that lead to a lack of natural estrogen in the body.

Estrace is sometimes used as part of cancer treatment in women and men.

Estrace is also available as a vaginal cream.

Warnings

You should not use Estrace if you have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or a blood clotting disorder, if you are having major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, stroke, blood clot, breast cancer, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Do not use Estrace if you are pregnant.

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

Taking estradiol may increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, as well as breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia.

Have regular physical exams and mammograms, and self-examine your breasts for lumps monthly while using Estrace.

Before you take this medicine

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

• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;

• liver disease;

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots;

• an increased risk of blood clots due to a heart problem or hereditary blood disorder; or

• a history of hormone-related cancer or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix or vagina.

Do not use Estrace if you are pregnant.Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are at even greater risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, are overweight or are a smoker.

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

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;

• liver problems or jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;

• kidney disease;

• Gallbladder disease;

• Asthma;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorders;

• Migraine;

• lupus;

• endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;

• hereditary angioedema;

• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);

• a thyroid disease; or

• high levels of calcium in your blood.

Taking estradiol may increase your risk of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Estrace lowers the levels of hormones needed to produce breast milk and may slow the production of breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take Estrace?

Take Estrace exactly as prescribed. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that can lead to uterine cancer. Call your doctor immediately if you experience unusual vaginal bleeding while using this medication.

Your doctor should check your progress regularly (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment. Self-examine your breasts for lumps monthly and get a mammogram every year while using Estrace.

If you need major surgery or need to stay in bed for a long time, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using Estrace.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What to avoid

Avoid smoking. It may significantly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using Estrace.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with Estrace and cause unwanted side effects. Avoid using grapefruit products.

Avoid side effects

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction to Estrace: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Symptoms of a heart attack– Pain or pressure in the chest, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• 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 loss of vision, stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, pain or feeling of warmth in one or both legs;

• swelling or tenderness in the stomach;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior;

• unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain;

• a lump in your breast; or

• high levels of calcium in your blood– Nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, lack of energy.

Common Estrace side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps;

• Mood swings, sleep problems (insomnia);

• Cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinus pain, sore throat;

• weight gain;

• headache, back pain;

• chest pain;

• thinning head hair; or

• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your periods, breakthrough bleeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Estrace?

Sometimes it is not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some medications can affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many medications can interact with estradiol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking and any medications you are taking or stopping.

• Estrace Vaginalcreme – Wie lange dauert es, bis sich die atrophische Vaginitis bessert?

References

1. Estrace-Produktetikett

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and only use Estrace for the prescribed indication.