estradiol tablet
Estradiol tablet is an estrogen hormone used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal irritation. It also helps prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause. Though not as common, it's also FDA approved to treat certain advanced stages of breast and prostate cancer. The dose depends on your condition, but tablets are typically taken by mouth 1 to 3 times a day. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and breast pain.
What is Estradiol tablet?
What is Estradiol tablet used 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
How Estradiol tablet works
Estradiol tablet is a type of estrogen. During menopause, your body makes less estrogen, and this drop in estrogen can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. Estradiol tablet works by replacing the estrogen which can help relieve these symptoms and can protect your bones.
In some cases, estradiol tablet can also be used to treat prostate cancer by blocking certain hormones that cancer cells need to grow. At higher doses, it can treat certain types of breast cancer that have spread in the body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Estradiol tablet
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Breast pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Stomach cramps or bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
Less Common Side Effects
- High blood pressure
- Liver problems
- High blood sugar
- Fluid retention
- Growth of non-cancerous tumors in the uterus
- Spotty darkening of the skin and face
- Yeast infection
Estradiol tablet serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart attack: chest pain or tightness, shortness or breath, sweating, nausea, pain that radiates up to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
- Stroke: sudden trouble talking or walking, numbness on one side of your body or face, severe headache, dizziness, confusion
- Blood clot: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fast heart rate, swelling, pain, or redness in the arms or legs
- Cancer: lumps, pain, swelling, or changes in the breasts; swollen lymph nodes, unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding, bloating, extreme tiredness, stomach-area pain
The following Estradiol tablet side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Breast tissue changes, new lumps, redness, pain, or discharge from the nipple
- Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause, pelvic pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Estradiol tablet
Pros
- Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms
- Available in many 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
Pharmacist tips for Estradiol tablet
- You can take estradiol tablet with or without food.
- Pay attention to whether estradiol tablet should be taken every day or in cycles. Talk with your prescriber about the schedule that works best for you.
- Take estradiol tablet at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time needed. Your prescriber will check in every 3 to 6 months to see if you still need it.
- Estradiol tablet can cause serious side effects, such as heart attacks and strokes. If your menopausal symptoms only affect your vagina (like itching, dryness, or burning), ask your prescriber about other options that might be safer for you, such as a vaginal cream.
- If you have a uterus, ask your prescriber if you should also take a progestin along with estradiol tablet. Adding a progestin can help lower your risk of uterine cancer.
- If you're planning on having surgery or will be on bedrest, you might need to stop taking estradiol tablet for at least 4 to 6 weeks before. This medication can raise your risk of blood clots, especially when you can’t move around much.
- Let your prescriber know if you notice unusual vaginal bleeding, breast lumps, vision changes, or sudden severe headaches while taking estradiol tablet. These are rare but might be signs of serious problems.
Common questions about Estradiol tablet
Both weight gain and weight loss have been reported by people taking estradiol tablet. But studies show that hormone therapy itself doesn’t directly cause weight changes. For the most part, weight changes during or after menopause are linked to natural hormonal shifts, aging, diet, and lifestyle. If you're concerned about your weight, talk to your prescriber.
Yes. Estrogens are a group of sex hormones that everyone has. Estradiol tablet is a lab-made form of the strongest estrogen that your body naturally makes.
Yes, estradiol tablet is a bioidentical hormone. That means it’s chemically similar to the hormones your body makes.
The time it takes for estradiol tablet to work can vary from person to person. It can take up to 3 months to feel the full benefits for menopause symptoms. Be sure to go to your follow-up visits so your prescriber can see how well the medication is working for you.
Taking estrogen products like estradiol tablet for a long time can raise your risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer and breast cancer. A review of over 50 studies found a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer in people taking hormones like estradiol tablet. But in some cases, estrogens might also be used to treat breast or prostate cancer. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication with your prescriber.
Most side effects of estradiol tablet like headaches and breast tenderness usually get better within the first few months of starting treatment. Tell your prescriber if you experience bothersome side effects so they can help you manage them and let you know what to expect.
It can. Hair loss is a common side effect of estradiol tablet. If you notice more hair falling out than usual, talk to your prescriber.
When taking estradiol tablet, you should avoid supplements like St. John's wort, licorice, and ginseng, as they can interact with the medication and raise the risk of side effects. Always tell your prescriber about any supplements, herbal products, or over-the-counter medications you're taking to make sure they're safe to use with estradiol.
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Risks and warnings for Estradiol tablet
Estradiol tablet 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.
Uterine (endometrial) cancer
- Risk factors: Using estradiol tablet without progestin for people with a uterus | Long-term use of estradiol tablet
Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be a sign of uterine (endometrial) cancer, so tell your prescriber right away if you notice any unusual bleeding. Using estrogen medications like estradiol tablet for more than a year can raise this risk. If you still have your uterus, your prescriber might add another hormone called a progestin to help lower this risk. That's because progestin balances out estrogen's effects by slowing the growth of your uterine lining.
Breast cancer
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of breast cancer | Using estradiol tablet and progestin together | Long-term use of estradiol tablet
Taking estrogens like estradiol tablet together with progestins can raise your risk of breast cancer. The risk goes up the longer you use this combination, so it’s best to take estradiol tablet for the shortest time needed. Call your prescriber right away if you notice breast changes such as lumps, pain, or swelling.
Blood clots and strokes
- Risk factors: History of blood clots or stroke | Postmenopausal women using estrogen products | Using estradiol tablet with or without progestin | Obesity | History of lupus | Inactivity
Estradiol tablet can raise your risk of blood clots. This can be very serious and lead to a stroke, a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or a blood clot in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). Share your full medical history with your prescriber before starting estradiol tablet to help lower your risk. Call 911 or get emergency help right away if you have chest pain, pain in your legs or arms, sudden severe headaches, trouble breathing, or sudden changes in speech or vision.
Heart disease and heart attacks
- Risk factors: History of heart attack | Heart disease | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Obesity | Smoking tobacco
Estradiol tablet shouldn't be used alone or with a progestin to try to prevent heart disease. In fact, taking estrogens like estradiol tablet can raise your risk of a heart attack. If you have any signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, chest tightness, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, or a fast heartbeat, get emergency help right away.
Dementia
- Risk factors: Age over 65 | Using estradiol tablet alone or with progestin
People over 65 who use estrogen products like estradiol tablet have a higher risk of developing dementia. If you or your loved ones notice memory problems, confusion, anxiety, or trouble making decisions, tell your prescriber right away.
Gallbladder and liver problems
- Risk factors: History of or current liver problems
Estradiol tablet can sometimes cause gallbladder problems, and some people have needed surgery to remove their gallbladder after starting this medication. Call your prescriber or get medical help if you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away, fever, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Estradiol tablet is broken down by your liver, so if your liver isn't working well, you might have more side effects. You shouldn't take this medication if you currently have or have ever had liver problems, including liver issues during a past pregnancy.
Vision problems
A blood clot in the eye, called retinal vascular thrombosis, can occur in people taking estrogen products like estradiol tablet. Stop taking this medication and call your prescriber right away if you suddenly lose vision in one or both eyes, or if you notice bulging eyes, double vision, or migraines.
High triglycerides
- Risk factors: History of high triglycerides
Estradiol tablet can raise your triglyceride levels, which can lead to serious problems like inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Your prescriber might order regular blood tests to watch for this while you're taking estradiol tablet. If you experience sudden stomach or back pain, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight loss, or a fast heart rate, contact your provider or seek medical care right away.
Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
- Risk factors: Low thyroid hormone levels
Estradiol tablet can change the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. If you take medications for low thyroid hormone levels, you might need a higher dose of thyroid replacement therapy. Your prescriber might order regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels.
Fluid Retention
- Risk factors: History of heart or kidney problems
Using estrogen products, like estradiol tablet, can sometimes cause your body to hold on to extra fluid, called edema. This is more likely if you have heart problems, like congestive heart failure, or kidney damage. 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 prescriber know.
Changes in calcium levels in the blood
- Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Cancer that has spread to the bones
Taking estradiol tablet can sometimes cause very high calcium in women with breast cancer that has spread to the bones. Signs of high calcium include feeling very thirsty, 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 this medication.
Take estradiol tablet carefully if you have low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism). This condition affects the glands in the back of your neck and lowers your calcium levels. 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.
Worsening of other health conditions
- Risk factors: History of asthma or diabetes | History of lupus | History of seizures or migraines | Taking other medications that can cause seizures
If you have certain conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, talk to your prescriber before taking estradiol tablet. Estrogen products can sometimes make these conditions worse by raising your blood sugar or triggering asthma attacks.
Estradiol tablet dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg | 90 tablets | $16.70 | $0.19 |
| 1mg | 90 tablets | $17.28 | $0.19 |
| 2mg | 90 tablets | $18.84 | $0.21 |
Typical dosage for Estradiol tablet
- Menopausal symptoms: The typical starting dose is 1 mg to 2 mg by mouth once a day.
- You might need to take the tablet in cycles (e.g., taking it daily for 3 weeks, then stopping for 1 week, and then starting the cycle again).
- Low estrogen levels: The typical starting dose is 1 mg to 2 mg by mouth once a day.
- Breast cancer: The typical dose is 10 mg by mouth three times a day for at least 3 months.
- Prostate cancer: The typical dose is 1 mg to 2 mg by mouth three times a day.
- Prevention of bone loss (osteoporosis): Your prescriber will help you determine the lowest dose that works for you.
More on Estradiol tablet dosage
How much does Estradiol tablet cost?
Estradiol tablet contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Estradiol tablet will not be safe for you to take.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- History of breast cancer (exceptions for those being treated for cancer pain)
- Tumor that depends on estrogen for growth
- Blood clots or blood clotting conditions
- History of stroke or heart attack
- Liver problems
- Currently pregnant
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