Elestrin (estradiol gel) is a hormone replacement therapy used to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. It comes as a pump bottle, and the dose is applied to the skin on your upper arm once a day. The gel is only available as a brand-name medication because there is no generic version. Common side effects include breast tenderness, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and upper respiratory infections.
Hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause
Elestrin (estradiol gel) contains man-made estradiol, a type of estrogen that the body naturally makes. During menopause, estrogen levels drop, leading to symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Elestrin (estradiol gel) works by replacing estrogen, which helps relieve these menopausal symptoms.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
acid or sour stomach
backache
belching
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision
breast tenderness, enlargement, pain, or discharge
change in vaginal discharge
changes in skin color
changes in vision
chest pain or discomfort
chills
clay-colored stools
clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
confusion
convulsions
darkening of the urine
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness or lightheadedness
double vision
fainting
fast heartbeat
fluid-filled skin blisters
full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
headache
headache, severe and throbbing
indigestion
inverted nipple
irregular heartbeat
itching of the vagina or genital area
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
lump in the breast or under the arm
migraine headache
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
noisy breathing
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain during sexual intercourse
pain in the ankles or knees
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain or feeling of pressure in the pelvis
pain, redness, or swelling in the arm, foot, or leg
painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
poor insight and judgment
problems with memory or speech
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red, irritated eyes
redness or swelling of the breast
sensitivity to the sun
skin thinness
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
sudden loss of consciousness
sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing
sweating
swelling
swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
tightness in the chest
trouble recognizing objects
trouble thinking and planning
trouble walking
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
vaginal bleeding or spotting
vomiting
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
hives or welts
inability to have or keep an erection
increased hair growth, especially on the face
increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse
irritability
leg cramps
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of scalp hair
mental depression
mood disturbances
patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of the skin
redness of the skin
twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
weight changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Relieves bothersome menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats
Starts at a lower estrogen dose compared to other estrogen gel pumps
Applied directly to the skin on your upper arm
Only need to use once a day
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
Elestrin (estradiol gel) can transfer to others through skin-to-skin contact with the application site. After applying the gel, let it dry completely and wear clothing over the area. And wash your hands with soap and water immediately after applying the medication. Avoid letting others contact the application area for at least 2 hours.
If you miss a dose of Elestrin (estradiol gel), and your next dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose and apply your regular dose the next day. If the missed dose is more than 12 hours away, apply the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule the following day.
Apply Elestrin (estradiol gel) after your bath or shower, and wait at least 2 hours before swimming. Washing the area too soon can reduce how much estrogen your body absorbs, which can affect how the medication works.
Wait at least 25 minutes after applying Elestrin (estradiol gel) before using sunscreen on the same area. Also avoid frequent sunscreen use (7 or more days) on the application site since it can cause your body to absorb more medication.
If you have a uterus, your prescriber might recommend taking a progestin medication along with Elestrin (estradiol gel) to lower the risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer. Check with your prescriber to confirm your treatment plan.
Using Elestrin (estradiol gel) for a long time can raise the risk of serious health problems, such as breast cancer and heart attacks. That's why it's important to use the lowest dose for the shortest possible duration. Talk with your prescriber regularly to decide if you should continue treatment.
Elestrin (estradiol gel) is flammable, meaning it can easily catch on fire. Avoid fire, flames, or smoking until the application site has dried to protect yourself and others around you.
Store Elestrin (estradiol gel) at room temperature and keep track of how many doses you've used. The pump delivers a total of 30 doses (30 pumps) after priming. Throw away the used pump even if there's still gel left in the pump, and start a new one.
How to use Elestrin (estradiol gel):
It's important to read the instructions for use before using the medication to make sure you apply the dose correctly.
Prime: To use the pump for the first time, you need to prime it. (1) Remove the cap and unlock the spout by turning it to the left or right. (2) Slowly press down on the pump repeatedly until gel comes out. Throw away the primed gel safely in the trash. The pump is now ready to use and it doesn't need to be primed again.
Apply: (1) Hold the pump over your arm and press down fully to dispense your dose. If you need more than 1 dose, wait 5 seconds before dispensing the next. (2) Use 2 fingers to spread the gel over your upper arm, from elbow to shoulder. Let the gel dry completely before putting on clothes. (3) Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after applying the medication.
Elestrin (estradiol gel) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: People ages 50 years and older| High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | History of smoking cigarettes | Recent surgery or bedrest
Estrogens like Elestrin (estradiol gel) can raise the risk of serious blood clots. Higher estrogen levels can raise blood proteins that promote clot formation. These clots can form anywhere in the body and might be life-threatening. Get medical attention right away if you have any signs or symptoms of a blood clot:
Brain (e.g., stroke): weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurry vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion
Eyes (e.g., retinal thrombosis): trouble seeing, bulging eye, double vision
Heart (e.g., heart attack): chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
Lungs (e.g., pulmonary embolism or PE): trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough
Legs (e.g., deep vein thrombosis or DVT): cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness
Your risk of blood clots is higher if you're older, smoke cigarettes, or have certain medical conditions. It's also higher if you're on bedrest after surgery. Your gynecologist might temporarily stop Elestrin (estradiol gel) for 4-6 weeks before surgery. Talk with your gynecologist if you have any questions regarding your risk of blood clots.
Risk factors: Estrogen therapy without additional progestin | Using estrogen therapy for more than 1 year
Estrogens like Elestrin (estradiol gel) can thicken and change the lining of your uterus (endometrium). This can lead to uncontrolled growth, which might cause uterine (endometrial) cancer. To reduce this risk, it's generally recommended to take progestin, another hormone, along with estrogen. Progestin helps slow the growth of the uterine lining. Watch for warning signs of uterine cancer, such as vaginal bleeding that doesn’t stop or keeps coming back. Contact your prescriber right away if you notice any unusual vaginal bleeding.
Risk factors: Personal or family history of breast cancer | Long-term use of estrogen and progestin together
There's a higher risk of developing breast cancer when taking estrogen, such as Elestrin (estradiol gel), and progestin medications together. The longer you take this combination, the higher your risk is. That's why it's best to use Elestrin (estradiol gel) only for the shortest amount of time needed. Make sure to check your breasts regularly for changes and get breast scans (mammograms). Let your prescriber know if you notice any unusual changes in breast shape, size, or color.
Risk factors: Age 65 years or older
People using estrogen therapy like Elestrin (estradiol gel) may have a higher risk of dementia, especially if treatment begins after age 65. Early symptoms of dementia include new forgetfulness, confusion, getting lost, or wandering. If you’re concerned about this risk, talk to your prescriber.
Risk factors: History of or current liver problems
Elestrin (estradiol gel) can cause problems with your gallbladder, and some people have needed gallbladder surgery after starting this medication. If you experience stomach pain, nausea or vomiting that doesn't go away, fever, or a yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), speak with your prescriber or get medical attention right away.
The estrogen in Elestrin (estradiol gel) is processed by the liver. So if your liver isn't working properly, you might have more side effects from this medication. If you currently have or have had any liver problems, including issues during a past pregnancy, you shouldn't use Elestrin (estradiol gel).
Risk factors: Breast cancer | Cancer that has spread to the bones | Low parathyroid hormone levels
Taking estrogens like Elestrin (estradiol gel) can lead to severely high calcium levels in people with breast cancer that has spread to their bones. High calcium can cause symptoms like thirst, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, muscle weakness, or confusion. Tell your prescriber if you have any of these symptoms because you might have to stop taking Elestrin (estradiol gel).
Use Elestrin (estradiol gel) carefully if you have low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism), which can lead to low calcium in your body. Let your prescriber know if you have signs of low calcium such as burning or tingling of your fingers, toes, or lips, muscle pain and cramps, or confusion.
Although very rare, some people taking estrogens have experienced vision problems caused by a blood clot in the eyes. If you have sudden partial or complete vision loss, bulging eyes, double vision, or migraines, stop taking Elestrin (estradiol gel) and tell your prescriber right away.
Risk factors: High levels of triglycerides
Estrogens can raise the amount of fats in your blood (triglycerides), which can lead to heart problems or pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas. Your prescriber might recommend regular blood tests to watch for this while you're taking Elestrin (estradiol gel). If you experience sudden stomach or back pain, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight loss, or a fast heart rate, contact your prescriber or seek medical care right away.
Risk factors: Low thyroid hormone levels
Elestrin (estradiol gel) can affect thyroid hormone levels in your blood. If you're taking medications for low thyroid hormone levels, you might need a higher dose of your thyroid replacement therapy. Your prescriber might recommend regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels while you're taking this medication.
Risk factors: History of heart or kidney problems
Estrogen products like Elestrin (estradiol gel) can cause some fluid retention or edema, especially in people with heart conditions, like congestive heart failure, or kidney problems. If you notice unusual swelling in any part of your body or if you suddenly gain weight over a short period of time, let your care team know.
Risk factors: History of asthma or diabetes | History of lupus | History of seizures or migraines | History endometriosis
Taking estrogen-containing medications like Elestrin (estradiol gel) can worsen certain medical conditions. These include endometriosis, hereditary angioedema, asthma, diabetes, migraine, and seizures. Before you start Elestrin (estradiol gel) let your healthcare team know about your past medical history so they can talk with you about the risks and benefits of taking this medication.
There's a chance that Elestrin (estradiol gel) could transfer to someone else through skin-to-skin contact with the application site. To avoid this, make sure the gel is completely dry before allowing others to touch the area. Once the gel is dry, cover the application site with clothing.
The typical starting dose is 0.87 grams (one pump) applied to the skin of your upper arm once a day. If needed, your prescriber might adjust your dose based on how you respond to the medication.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
History of breast cancer
History of cancer that depends on estrogen for growth
Blood clots or blood clotting conditions
History of stroke or heart attack
Liver problems
Hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause
Hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause
Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats
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Furness, S., et al. (2012). Hormone therapy in postmenopausal women and risk of endometrial hyperplasia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Hedrick, R. E., et al. (2009). Transdermal estradiol gel 0.1% for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. Menopause.
Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Elestrin- estradiol gel, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
Rehak, M., et al. (2010). Retinal vein thrombosis: Pathogenesis and management. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Rosendaal, F. R., et al. (2002). Female hormones and thrombosis. Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
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