Estradiol
Description
Estradiol is a form of estrogen (female sex hormone). It is used to relieve symptoms occurring after menopause (cessation of menses) such as vaginal dryness/burning/itching, hot flashes, etc. and it prevents osteoporosis (a condition in which bone becomes weak and fragile).
Estradiol is used to treat low estrogen levels in women with ovarian failure (a condition where the ovaries, part of the female reproductive organ that produces eggs and sex hormones stop functioning normally). It is also prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer and prostate cancer (cancer in a man's prostate gland, a small walnut-sized gland that produces sperm containing fluid).
Estradiol is available on prescription as an oral tablet, a topical gel or patch, vaginal cream, or as an injection form.
Estradiol shows side effects like stomach pain, headache, changes in weight, oedema (swelling) of legs, breast tenderness, mood alterations including anxiety and depressed mood.
Estradiol is recommended to be taken at the same time every day. Your doctor will decide the dosage of this medicine based on the indication you are taking it for.
Estradiol is not recommended for use if you have abnormal/unusual vaginal bleeding. Inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems, diabetes, or any other medical conditions. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding to understand its benefits and the risk to your infant.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Estradiol
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Back pain
- Headache
- Vaginal discharge with no odor
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
Uses of Estradiol
What is it prescribed for?
- Post menopausal symptoms
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Primary ovarian failure
- Breast cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Hormonal replacement therapy
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken for Estradiol to show its effect is subject to vary from one person to another. It also varies based on the intended use and levels of other sex hormones in your body. However, the oral form of Estradiol takes 3-6 hours to show its effect.
- Duration of effectDuration of action of Estradiol differs as per the form in which it is taken. Follow are the duration of action as per the dosage form: Tablet: 4-5 days Injection: 12 hours (intravenous), 60 days (intramuscular) Transdermal (gel): 9-10 days
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Estradiol.
- Usage in pregnancy?Estradiol is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Contact your doctor if you suspect pregnancy while being treated with this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Estradiol may not be safe if you are breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Estradiol if you are allergic to it. Allergic reactions are rare; however, contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like rashes, itching/swelling (particularly of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and breathing difficulty, etc.
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Estradiol is not recommended for use if you have an abnormal vaginal bleeding episode that has not been diagnosed by your doctor. If you have any menstrual abnormalities, consult your doctor first before taking this medicine.
Heart and blood vessel disorder
Estradiol is not recommended if you have an active or history of stroke (brain damage due to blocked blood flow) or heart attack. This medicine should also be avoided if you have active or previous blood clotting issues. Estradiol can lead to an increase in clot formation if taken in higher doses and thus can worsen your condition.
Estrogen-dependent tumor
Estradiol is not recommended if you have cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens, such as breast and cancer of the endometrium (womb lining), or if you are suspected of having it.
Liver Tumours
Liver tumours are types of cancer that form in the liver. Estradiol is not recommended in liver tumours because long term use of this medicine may worsen your condition.
Porphyria
Porphyria is a disorder resulting from the accumulation of certain chemicals related to blood cell proteins. Estradiol is not recommended in the presence of porphyria.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Estradiol is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Contact your doctor if you suspect pregnancy while being treated with this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Estradiol may not be safe if you are breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Jaundice like symptoms
Estradiol may cause yellowing of your eyes and skin due to its effect on the liver and the gall bladder. Inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms of jaundice.
Surgery
You should stop taking Estradiol at least 4 weeks before a planned surgery as it may interfere with the time taken for blood clotting.
Fluid Retention and edema
Estradiol can cause fluid retention and oedema (collection of fluid underneath your skin) especially when used for a long period.
Vision abnormalities
Estradiol may cause blurring of vision and other effects on your eye like proptosis (bulging of the eye), diplopia (double vision), etc. Inform your doctor if you experience any side effects like blurred vision, excessive drying of your eyes. Do not perform activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms.
Gall bladder disease
Estradiol can increase the risk of gallstones (small, hard stones that develop due to the accumulation of digestive fluids, like bile, in your gallbladder), especially in postmenopausal women. Use it with caution if you have a pre-existing gall bladder problem.
Use in children
Estradiol is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age as safety and efficacy is not known.
Dementia
Dementia means loss of memory, thinking and social abilities. Estradiol has been associated with an increased risk of dementia especially in the elderly. It is advised to be taken with caution if used for longer durations.
Missed Dose
Tablet: Do not miss a dose of Estradiol. In case you forget to take your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is near, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to compensate for a missed one.
Transdermal patch/gel: If you missed applying a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Do not double the quantity to compensate for the missed one.
Injection: Since injections are usually given by healthcare professionals, the chances of missing a dose is very unlikely.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Estradiol. Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding etc.
Injection: As Estradiol injection is given by a healthcare professional, it is very unlikely to have an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Dexamethasone
Prednisolone
Tranexamic Acid
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Hypertension
Hypertension is a condition in which your blood pressure level is higher than normal. Use Estradiol with caution if you have hypertension because it may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke (brain damage due to blocked blood flow).
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which there are high blood sugar levels. Estradiol should be used with caution in the presence of diabetes.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition where the airways of your lungs are constricted. Use Estradiol with caution if you are having asthma.
Food interactions
Avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice while you are on treatment with Estradiol. Grapefruit juice may interfere with the effectiveness of the medicine and may cause some side effects.
Lab interactions
Thyroid function test
Inform your doctor about Estradiol before thyroid function test as it may interfere with the test results.
Tablet: You can take Estradiol with or without food.
Do not take more or less than what is advised/prescribed by your doctor.
Make sure to complete the course of treatment.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Transdermal patches and Gel: Use it as advised by your doctor.
Follow all the instructions mentioned in the package leaflet.
Injection: Injection is normally given by qualified healthcare professionals in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Estradiol works by replacing or replenishing the hormone estrogen (sex hormone) that is normally produced in your body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Estrogens
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Elleste Solo 2 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 September 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Estradiol. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.