This medicine is used for the following purposes:
- bone strength
- endocrine disorder
- menopausal symptoms
Brand Name(s): Divigel
Generic Name: Estradiol
Instructions
DO NOT take this medicine by mouth.
Apply the medicine to clean, intact, dry skin on the upper part of the thigh. Do not use the medicine on any other area of the body.
If you are using the single-dose packets, throw away any medicine left in the open packets after you have used it. Do not save to use later.
Keep the medicine at room temperature. Avoid heat and direct light.
Please ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to discard unused medicines safely.
Avoid getting this medicine inside the vagina.
Caregivers should wear disposable gloves to avoid directly touching the medicine.
Use only on normal looking skin. Avoid skin that is red, scraped, or damaged.
To avoid irritating the skin, switch between the right and left side of the body with each application.
Avoid using on face, arm pits, and groin area.
Wash your hands before and after handling this medicine.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after handling the medicine.
If medicine gets in your eyes, rinse well with cool water.
The area should be covered by clothing.
Allow treated area to completely dry (about 10 minutes) before covering with clothing.
Do not shower, bathe, or swim for at least 1 hour after applying the medicine.
This medicine may cause dark patches to appear on your face. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen lotion to minimize further darkening of these skin patches.
Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.
This medicine is flammable. Do not use it near heaters, open flame or while smoking. Do not crush, puncture, or burn container.
Cautions
This medicine may increase the risk of cancer. Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks.
This medicine is associated with an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience leg pain or swelling, difficulty breathing, chest or jaw pain, severe headache, one-sided weakness or slurred speech.
This medicine is not safe for children. Wash the area where you applied this medication thoroughly before you have skin to skin contact with another person. Keep clothing that has touched the medicine away from children and pets until they can be washed in warm water.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Do not use the medication any more than instructed.
Avoid smoking while on this medicine. Smoking may increase your risk for stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Ask your doctor how to do a breast self-exam. Check monthly. Report any changes to your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about getting a complete physical exam every year while on this medicine.
This medicine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.
Women who are pregnant or in their childbearing years should not touch or handle this medicine. This medicine can be absorbed through the woman's skin and harm the unborn baby.
If you forget to take a dose on time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours to the next dose, do not take the dose. Return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at one time.
Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.
Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.
Side Effects
The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.
- bloating
- breast pain or swelling
- headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- skin irritation where medicine is applied
- stomach upset or abdominal pain
- weight gain
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:
- breast lumps
- chest or jaw pain
- depression or feeling sad
- dizziness
- swelling of the legs, feet, and hands
- fainting
- severe or persistent headache
- sudden leg pain, swelling, warmth or redness
- signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of eye or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness)
- shortness of breath
- symptoms of stroke (such as one-sided weakness, slurred speech, confusion)
- excessive or unusual sweating
- persistent or unusual thirst
- increased urinary frequency
- cramping of the uterus or bleeding from the vagina
- vaginal itching or discharge
- severe or persistent vomiting
A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.
Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice.
There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist.
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More information about ESTRADIOL GEL - TRANSDERMAL
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Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.
