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Compare Activella vs. Divigel

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Activella (estradiol/norethindrone) and Divigel (estradiol) are both used to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but they have some key differences. Activella is a combination of estradiol and norethindrone, which means it includes both estrogen and progestin, making it suitable to take if you have a healthy uterus. It is taken orally as a tablet once a day. On the other hand, Divigel is a topical gel that only contains estradiol and is applied to the skin once a day. Additionally, Divigel requires careful application to avoid transferring the medication to others through skin contact, whereas Activella does not have this concern. Both medications carry risks such as blood clots, strokes, and certain cancers, but Divigel can raise the risk for uterine or endometrial cancer if you have a healthy uterus and don't use a progestin with it.

  • Activella (estradiol / norethindrone)
    Estradiol gel (Divigel)
  • Activella (estradiol / norethindrone)
    Estradiol gel (Divigel)

  • Summary of Activella vs. Divigel

    Summary for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Prescription only

    Activella is a combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that contains estradiol (an estrogen) and norethindrone (a progestin). It's used to treat certain symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and vaginal dryness, related to low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in females who've reached menopause. The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth once daily. Some side effects of this medication include breast pain and headache. Activella (estradiol / norethindrone), as well as other HRTs, isn't recommended for people who've had breast cancer. <br> Activella is a brand-name medication. It also comes as a generic and branded generics, such as Mimvey.

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    Estradiol gel (Divigel) is a hormone replacement therapy used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. It comes as single-use packets, and the dose is applied to the skin on your upper thigh once a day. The gel is available as both a brand-name and a generic medication. Common side effects include vaginal yeast infections, breast tenderness, and abnormal vaginal bleeding.

  • Indications of Activella vs. Divigel

    Indications for

    In females who have a healthy uterus:

    •Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) of menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats
    •Moderate-to-severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, like vaginal dryness
    •Prevention of osteoporosis in females who've reached menopause
    Indications for
    •Hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause

  • Pros and Cons of Activella vs. Divigel

    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement / Progestin
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once daily
    •Includes a progestin to protect against endometrial cancer
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
    •Not for people who've had breast cancer
    •Not a first-choice option for vaginal symptoms of menopause or for preventing osteoporosis
    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Relieves bothersome menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats
    •Applied directly to the skin on the thighs
    •Only need to use once a day
    •Available in multiple strengths to customize your dose
    Cons
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Risk of exposing others to estrogen through skin contact
    •Might also need to take a progestin medication if you have a uterus
    •Need to wait for the gel to dry completely before bathing, showering, or swimming

  • Common Side Effects of Activella vs. Divigel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Breast pain (17-24%)
    •Headache (11-17%)
    •Accidental injury (3-17%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection, like cough, cold, sore throat, congestion (10-15%)
    •Sinus infection (7-15%)
    •Postmenopausal bleeding (10-11%)
    •Nausea (10-11%)
    •Weight gain (up to 9%)
    •Ovarian cyst (up to 7%)
    •Stomach flu (up to 6%)
    •Viral infection (up to 6%)
    •Vaginal yeast infection (up to 6%)
    •Mood swings (up to 6%)
    •Back pain (3-6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Abnormal vaginal bleeding (4-10%)
    •Breast tenderness (3-9%)
    •Common cold symptoms (4-6%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (2-6%)
    •Vaginal yeast infection (1-6%)

  • Warnings of Activella vs. Divigel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes
    •Breast cancer
    •Uterine or endometrial cancer
    •Dementia
    •Ovarian cancer
    •Liver or gallbladder problems
    •Changes in calcium levels in the blood
    •Vision problems
    •High triglyceride (fat) levels
    •Low thyroid hormone levels
    •Buildup of fluids in your body (fluid retention)
    •Worsening of other medical conditions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of blood clot
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Changes in calcium levels in the blood
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Worsening of other medical conditions
    •Potential skin-to-skin transfer

  • Prices with our coupons for Activella vs. Divigel

    Learn more about Activella
    Learn more about Estradiol gel

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