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Compare Climara vs. Minivelle

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

Key takeaways

Climara (estradiol) and Minivelle (estradiol) are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and to prevent bone loss after menopause. They are both transdermal patches, meaning you apply them to your skin. However, there are some differences between the two. Climara is applied once a week, while Minivelle needs to be applied twice a week. Climara is also approved to treat low estrogen levels due to certain conditions and vaginal dryness caused by menopause, which Minivelle is not. Both medications can cause side effects like headaches and breast pain. Both patches can also raise the risk of blood clots, strokes, and certain cancers, and you might need to take another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus. Climara is available as a lower-cost generic, while Minivelle only comes in a branded version.

  • Climara (estradiol patch)
    Minivelle (estradiol patch)
  • Climara (estradiol patch)
    Minivelle (estradiol patch)

  • Summary of Climara vs. Minivelle

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    The Climara (estradiol patch) is a once-weekly hormonal patch that relieves menopause symptoms and treats low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people who have gone through menopause. The patch is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and typically has fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills. You'll apply one patch to the skin of your lower stomach or the upper buttocks once a week. Potential side effects of this hormone patch include breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain.

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    Minivelle (estradiol patch) is a twice-weekly hormonal patch that treats moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, caused by menopause. It can also prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause. It's a type of hormone replacement therapy. The usual dose is one patch applied to the lower stomach or buttocks twice a week, or every 3 to 4 days. Potential side effects include headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.

  • Indications of Climara vs. Minivelle

    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Vaginal dryness and irritation caused by menopause
    •Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions
    •Prevention of osteoporosis after menopause
    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Prevent osteoporosis that happens after menopause

  • Pros and Cons of Climara vs. Minivelle

    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Relieves multiple menopause symptoms
    •Only need to apply once a week
    •Might have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills
    •Available in different strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    Cons
    •Commonly causes breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain
    •Can cause skin irritation, redness, and itchiness at the patch site
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Might need to take it with another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus
    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Typically has fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills
    •Delivers a consistent dose of estrogen over time
    •Good option if you have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available in different strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    Cons
    •Commonly causes headache, breast tenderness, and back pain
    •Need to apply a new patch twice a week
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Might need to take it with another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus

  • Common Side Effects of Climara vs. Minivelle

    Common Side Effects for
    •Breast pain (up to 29%)
    •Headache (up to 18%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 17%)
    •Stomach pain (up to 16%)
    •Swelling (up to 13%)
    •Back and body pain (up to 11%)
    •Depression (up to 8%)
    •Vaginal discharge (up to 7%)
    •Excessive gas (up to 7%)
    •Itching (up to 6%)
    •Nausea (up to 6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (up to 50%)
    •Common cold symptoms (up to 20%)
    •Breast tenderness (up to 17%)
    •Sinus swelling (up to 13%)
    •Bleeding in-between periods (up to 11%)
    •Depression (up to 11%)
    •Back pain (up to 11%)
    •Sinus headache (up to 10%)
    •Indigestion (up to 9%)
    •Weight gain (up to 9%)
    •Joint pain (up to 9%)

  • Warnings of Climara vs. Minivelle

    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood clots and related complications (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Ovarian cancer
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Worsening of other health conditions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood clots and related complications (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Ovarian cancer
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Worsening of other health conditions

  • Prices with our coupons for Climara vs. Minivelle

    Learn more about Climara
    Learn more about Minivelle

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