Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Premarin vs. Divigel

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

Key takeaways

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) and Divigel (estradiol) are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, they differ in several ways. Premarin is an oral tablet with no generic version available, while Divigel is a topical gel that comes in both brand-name and generic forms. Premarin is also used for other conditions, such as low estrogen levels, certain cancers, and osteoporosis prevention, whereas Divigel is only approved for menopausal symptoms. Premarin can be taken daily or in cycles, with doses ranging from 0.3 mg to 10 mg daily depending on the condition. Divigel is applied once daily to the upper thigh, with doses ranging from 0.25 grams to 1.25 grams. Common side effects of Premarin include headache, stomach pain, and nausea, while Divigel may cause breast tenderness and vaginal yeast infections. Additionally, Divigel has a risk of transferring estrogen to others through skin contact, which is not a concern with Premarin. Both medications share a risk of causing certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes. And in most cases you'll take a progestin along with them to help reduce the chance of uterine cancer.

  • Premarin
    Estradiol gel (Divigel)
  • Premarin
    Estradiol gel (Divigel)

  • Summary of Premarin vs. Divigel

    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

    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 Premarin vs. Divigel

    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 and night sweats due to menopause

  • Pros and Cons of Premarin vs. Divigel

    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
    •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 Premarin vs. Divigel

    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
    •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 Premarin vs. Divigel

    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
    •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 Premarin vs. Divigel

    Learn more about Premarin
    Learn more about Estradiol gel

Compare other Osteoporosis and Menopause drugs

Premarin Vaginal Cream vs Estradiol NorethindronePremarin vs AloraPremarin vs ClimaraPremarin vs Depo EstradiolPremarin vs DivigelPremarin vs ElestrinPremarin vs Estrace Vaginal CreamPremarin vs EstradiolPremarin vs Estradiol NorethindronePremarin vs Estradiol PatchPremarin vs EstringPremarin vs EvamistPremarin vs FemringPremarin vs MinivellePremarin vs Premarin Vaginal CreamPremarin vs PremproPremarin vs ProveraPremarin vs Vivelle DotYuvafem vs PremarinEstradiol Norethindrone vs DivigelEstradiol Norethindrone vs EvamistEstradiol Norethindrone vs PrefestEstradiol Norethindrone vs ProveraEstradiol Patch vs Estradiol NorethindroneEstradiol Patch vs EstringEstring vs Depo EstradiolEstring vs Estradiol NorethindroneMinivelle vs Estradiol NorethindronePrempro vs Estradiol NorethindroneVivelle Dot vs Estradiol Norethindrone
View More

Browse medications

View All

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