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Vivelle-Dot vs. Climara

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

Key takeaways

Vivelle-Dot (topical estradiol patch) and Climara (topical estradiol patch) are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat menopause symptoms, low estrogen levels, and to prevent osteoporosis after menopause. They are both transdermal patches, but they differ in their application frequency. Vivelle-Dot is applied twice a week, while Climara is applied once a week. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics, and can cause side effects such as headaches and breast tenderness. Both medications can increase the risk of blood clots, certain cancers, and other serious conditions, so it's important to discuss these risks with your healthcare team. In most cases, you'll need to take a progestin along with either medication to reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

Vivelle-Dot

(estradiol patch)

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Climara

(estradiol patch)

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Summary for Vivelle-Dot

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.

This twice weekly patch is also available as a generic called Dotti.

Indications for Vivelle-Dot

Pros and Cons for Vivelle-Dot

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 for Vivelle-Dot

  • 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 for Vivelle-Dot

  • 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

Summary for Climara

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.

Indications for Climara

Pros and Cons for Climara

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

Common Side Effects for Climara

  • 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%)

Warnings for Climara

  • 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

Prices with our coupons for Vivelle-Dot vs. Climara

Price Card Drug Icon
Estradiol3 cartons / 8 twice-weekly patches of 0.05mg/day
$84.47$112.54
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Price Card Drug Icon
Estradiol4 patches / 0.0375mg/day
$19.39$120.82
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