Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

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

Key takeaways

Premarin vaginal cream (conjugated estrogens) and Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) patch are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat symptoms of menopause. However, they differ in several ways. Premarin is a vaginal cream specifically approved for treating vaginal symptoms, like dryness and irritation. Vivelle-Dot is a transdermal patch applied to the skin and is used for a broader range of menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Vivelle-Dot is also used to help prevent osteoporosis after menopause. Premarin only comes in a branded version, while Vivelle-Dot is available as a generic called Dotti. Premarin vaginal cream is applied in cycles or twice a week, while Vivelle-Dot is applied twice a week. Common side effects of Premarin include headache and pelvic pain, while Vivelle-Dot may cause headaches, breast tenderness, and sinus swelling. Both medications carry risks of serious side effects like blood clots and certain cancers.

  • Premarin
    Vivelle-dot (estradiol patch)
  • Premarin
    Vivelle-dot (estradiol patch)

  • Summary of Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    Premarin (conjugated estrogens) is an oral estrogen hormone tablet that's used to treat various conditions in adults. Most commonly, it relieves menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. The medication is also used for treating low estrogen levels, certain advanced stages of breast or prostate cancers, and osteoporosis after menopause. Depending on what you're using it for, the medication can be taken daily or in cycles. Side effects include headache, stomach pain, nausea, and breast pain.

    Summary for Estrogen replacement
    Prescription only

    Vivelle-Dot (estradiol patch) is a twice-weekly hormonal patch used to treat menopause symptoms and low estrogen levels. It also helps prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people who have gone through menopause. The patch is a form 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. Side effects include headache, breast pain, and sinus swelling. </br> This twice weekly patch is also available as a generic called Dotti.

  • Indications of Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Indications for
    •Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
    •Vaginal dryness caused by menopause
    •Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions
    •Certain advanced stages of breast cancer
    •Certain advanced stages of prostate cancer
    •Prevention of bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause
    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

  • Pros and Cons of Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms
    •Available in multiple strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    •Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth
    Cons
    •Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
    •Some people might need to take it with another hormone called progestin
    •Not a first-choice medication for treating bone loss after menopause
    Pros and Const for Estrogen replacement
    Pros
    •Typically has fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills
    •Relieves multiple menopause symptoms
    •Good option if you have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available in different strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
    Cons
    •Commonly causes headache, breast pain, and sinus swelling
    •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 Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (13-14%)
    •Abnormal vaginal bleeding (2-13%)
    •Breast pain (7-12%)
    •Stomach pain (8-11%)
    •Passing gas (4-6%)
    •Vaginal discharge (4-5%)
    •Back pain (3-5%)
    •General pain (3-5%)
    •Nausea (3-5%)
    •Insomnia (3-5%)
    •Depression (3-5%)
    •Weakness (2-5%)
    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 Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Common Side Effects for
    •Uterine (endometrial) cancer
    •Breast cancer
    •Blood clots and stroke
    •Heart disease and heart attacks
    •Dementia
    •Gallbladder and liver problems
    •Vision problems
    •High triglycerides
    •Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
    •Fluid Retention
    •Changes in calcium levels in the blood
    •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 Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

    Learn more about Premarin
    Learn more about Vivelle-dot

Compare other Atrophic Vaginitis drugs

Premarin Vaginal Cream vs AloraPremarin Vaginal Cream vs ClimaraPremarin Vaginal Cream vs DivigelPremarin Vaginal Cream vs ElestrinPremarin Vaginal Cream vs Estrace Vaginal CreamPremarin Vaginal Cream vs Estradiol NorethindronePremarin Vaginal Cream vs Estradiol PatchPremarin Vaginal Cream vs EvamistPremarin Vaginal Cream vs FemringPremarin Vaginal Cream vs MinivellePremarin Vaginal Cream vs PremproPremarin Vaginal Cream vs ProveraPremarin Vaginal Cream vs Vivelle DotPremarin vs Premarin Vaginal CreamClimara vs FosamaxEstrace Vaginal Cream vs DivigelEstring vs ElestrinEstring vs Estrace Vaginal CreamMinivelle vs ClimaraPremarin vs ClimaraPremarin vs ElestrinPremarin vs Estrace Vaginal CreamPrempro vs ClimaraPrempro vs ElestrinPrempro vs Estrace Vaginal CreamProvera vs ClimaraProvera vs ElestrinProvera vs Estrace Vaginal CreamVivelle Dot vs ClimaraVivelle Dot vs Elestrin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.