Please note: Novartis Estradot patches were recently acquired by Sandoz. New boxes will have the Sandoz branding however, the manufacturer has not changed and is listed as Novartis in the patient information leaflet.
Estradot (generic name: bioidentical estradiol) is an external (extradermal) patch that boosts estrogen levels in the body. Estradiol is a steroid hormone and is the primary female sex hormone responsible for the regulation of reproductive and menstrual cycles.
Estradot is prescribed to women who:
- Have low estrogen levels because they are menopausal
- Suffer from hypogonadism due to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or having had their ovaries surgically removed either through an oophorectomy or a total hysterectomy.
The purpose of the estradiol transdermal patch is to treat women who suffer moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy or moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause, as well as for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis caused by low estrogen.
Dosage
The prescribing doctor will determine the strength required, guided by the patient’s clinical response.
The patch must be applied twice weekly on a clean, dry area of the lower abdomen or buttocks. Do
not apply the Estradot patch to the breasts.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
The most common side effects for women using Estradot are:
- Headache
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Problems in the nose and throat, such as nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, sinus headache
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Back pain
- Depression
- Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting.
If these persist or worsen, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Read the manufacturer’s Product Leaflet that comes with the medication before using it. Please bear in mind that not all possible side effects can be listed. If you experience any of these or other unexpected side effects, seek medical attention from your prescribing physician.
Women in menopause or who have undergone the surgical removal of their ovaries have a condition known as hypogonadism, in which the levels of the hormone estrogen are very low. This can result in the following conditions:
- Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), which is a condition in which decreased estrogen levels in vaginal tissue can cause vulvar and vaginal atrophy. The symptoms include dryness, irritation, and soreness in the vagina, and disruption of urination (dyspareunia), affecting frequency, urgency, and promoting incontinence.
- Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), which are more commonly called hot flashes (HFs) and night sweats, due to changes in hormone levels.
One of the effects of low estrogen levels is to increase the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is when bones weaken and are more likely to fracture at even the slightest stress or impact. About 50% of all menopausal women suffer one or more fractures that can be attributed to the development of osteoporosis.