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Compare Premarin vs. Vivelle-Dot

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

Key takeaways

Prempro (conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone) and Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) are both hormone replacement medications used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, as well as to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause. However, they differ in several ways. Prempro is a combination of estrogen and progestin, taken orally once a day, and is available only as a brand-name medication. In contrast, Vivelle-Dot is an estrogen-only patch applied to the skin twice a week and is available as a generic called Dotti. Prempro includes a progestin, which is important for people with a uterus to help protect against uterine cancer. Vivelle-Dot does not contain a progestin, so if you have a uterus you may need to take progestin separately. Both medications can cause headaches and breast pain or tenderness and increase the risk of serious side effects like blood clots and certain cancers. However, Vivelle-Dot is generally considered to have fewer side effects than oral hormone replacement medications.

  • 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

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