Estradiol (estradiol)

Estrogens Transdermal Patch, Transdermal Semiweekly

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Estradiol (a principal endogenous estrogen) is a steroidal estrogen.

USES: This medication is a hormone (estrogen). It is used by women to help reduce symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness). These symptoms are caused by the body making less estrogen.

If you are using this medication to treat symptoms only in and around the vagina, products applied directly inside the vagina should be considered before medications that are taken by mouth, absorbed through the skin, or injected. This medication may also be used by women who are not able to produce enough estrogen (for example, due to hypogonadism, primary ovarian failure). Certain estrogen products may also be used by women after menopause to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis).

However, there are other medications (such as raloxifene, bisphosphonates including alendronate) that are also effective in preventing bone loss and may be safer. These medications should be considered for use before estrogen treatment.

Generic name: estradiol
Pronunciation: (ES-tra-DYE-ol)
Drug class: Estrogens
Therapeutic class: Endocrine

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Estradiol:

  • Atrophic Vaginitis Associated With Menopause
  • Atrophy Of Vulva
  • Female Hypogonadism
  • Hypoestrogenism Due To Bilateral Oophorectomy
  • Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
  • Primary Ovarian Failure
  • Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause

Also known as: Female Hypogonadism Syndrome, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Prophylaxis, Senile Vaginitis, Vaginitis Senilis.

Dosing

Dosage of estradiol, estradiol acetate, estradiol cypionate, estradiol valerate, and ethinyl estradiol must be individualized according to the condition being treated and the tolerance and therapeutic response of the patient. To minimize the risk of adverse effects, the lowest possible effective dosage should be used. When short-term estrogen therapy is indicated (e.g., for the management of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; vulvar and vaginal atrophy), therapy should be discontinued as soon as possible; attempts to reduce dosage or discontinue the drug should be made at 3- to 6-month intervals. Because of the potential increased risk of cardiovascular events, breast cancer, and venous thromboembolic events, estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be limited to the lowest effective doses and shortest duration of therapy consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be periodically reevaluated.

Estrogen therapy is administered continuously or cyclically. While estrogen therapy alone may be appropriate in women who have undergone a hysterectomy, many clinicians currently recommend that a progestin be added to estrogen therapy in women with an intact uterus. Addition of progestin therapy for 10 or more days of a cycle of estrogen administration or daily with estrogen in a continuous regimen reduces the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and the attendant risk of endometrial carcinoma in women with an intact uterus. Morphologic and biochemical studies of the endometrium suggest that 10-13 days of progestin are needed to provide maximum maturation of the endometrium and to eliminate any hyperplastic changes. The manufacturer of Menostar(R) recommends that women with an intact uterus receive a progestin for 14 days every 6-12 months. When a progestin is used in conjunction with an estrogen, the usual precautions associated with progestin therapy should be observed. Clinicians prescribing progestins should be aware of the risks associated with these drugs and the manufacturers' labeling should be consulted. The choice and dosage of a progestin may be important factors in minimizing adverse effects.

When long-acting parenteral preparations are used in the management of conditions associated with estrogen deficiency, the drugs are usually administered once every 3-4 weeks.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

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Adverse reactions

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Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Atrophic vaginitis associated with menopause
N95.2ICD10CMPostmenopausal atrophic vaginitis
Atrophy of vulva
N90.5ICD10CMAtrophy of vulva
Female hypogonadism
E28.3ICD10CMPrimary ovarian failure
E28.31ICD10CMPremature menopause
E28.310ICD10CMSymptomatic premature menopause
E28.319ICD10CMAsymptomatic premature menopause
E28.39ICD10CMOther primary ovarian failure
E89.4ICD10CMPostprocedural ovarian failure
E89.40ICD10CMAsymptomatic postprocedural ovarian failure
E89.41ICD10CMSymptomatic postprocedural ovarian failure
Hypoestrogenism due to bilateral oophorectomy
E89.4ICD10CMPostprocedural ovarian failure
E89.40ICD10CMAsymptomatic postprocedural ovarian failure
E89.41ICD10CMSymptomatic postprocedural ovarian failure
Post-menopausal osteoporosis prevention
Z78.0ICD10CMAsymptomatic menopausal state
Primary ovarian failure
E28.3ICD10CMPrimary ovarian failure
E28.31ICD10CMPremature menopause
E28.310ICD10CMSymptomatic premature menopause
E28.319ICD10CMAsymptomatic premature menopause
E28.39ICD10CMOther primary ovarian failure
Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause
N95.1ICD10CMMenopausal and female climacteric states
N95.9ICD10CMUnspecified menopausal and perimenopausal disorder

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data