Type of medicine: hormone
Generic and brand names: estradiol gel; Divigel; EstroGel; Elestrin
This medicine is a gel that you put on your skin to replace hormone levels that drop when menopause occurs (when monthly menstrual periods stop).
It helps with symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, and burning, and hot flashes.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had a long period of bed rest after major surgery or a broken bone in a cast.
Tell your provider if you have a family history of heart disease, heart attack, blood clots, strokes, breast cancer, or other conditions.
Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke. Smoking while you are using this medicine increases the risk of serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. The risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your health care provider right away. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose.
Wash your hands before and after using this medicine. Apply the medicine after bathing, showering, or going swimming. Apply the gel at the same time each day to clean, dry, unbroken skin. To use the pump:
Do not let other people apply the gel for you. If anyone else, especially a child, comes in contact with the gel, wash the area of contact with soap and water right away.
Alcohol based gels are flammable. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking until the gel has dried.
Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more of it or use it longer than prescribed.
Read the information sheet that comes in the medicine package. Follow these directions carefully. If you do not understand how to use this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
Keep this medicine away from children or pets. If you get this medicine in your eyes, flush them right away with warm water.
If you miss a dose, and it is more than 12 hours until the next scheduled dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers both benefits and risks. Estrogen has previously been prescribed to help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). This is no longer advised because it may be harmful. Estrogen also increases the risk of stroke, blood clots in the lungs and legs, heart disease, breast cancer, and possibly dementia. Also, estrogen taken without progestin increases the risk of uterine cancer if you still have your uterus.
Most experts now recommend short-term use if hormone therapy is needed. You should take hormones only when you need them, at the lowest effective dosage, and only for as long as you need them. The risk of medical problems such as stroke or cancer increases further with higher doses and longer treatments. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You need to see your provider regularly (every 6 months) for checkups to find out if this medicine is still needed and if you are having any side effects. Keep all your appointments. Do not take this medicine for longer than 1 year without a complete physical exam.
You should also have a breast exam and mammogram every year or as often as your healthcare provider advises.
Tell healthcare providers you are taking this medicine before you have lab tests. This medicine may change blood test results such as cholesterol, liver function, and thyroid levels. You may need to stop taking hormones at least 4 to 6 weeks before the surgery and bedrest. Tell healthcare providers you are taking this medicine before you have lab tests. This medicine may change blood test results such as cholesterol, liver function, and thyroid levels. The patch may need to be removed before certain tests or procedures such as MRIs.
Sometimes this medicine causes dark spots to develop on your skin, especially with long exposure to the sun. The spots usually go away when you stop using this medicine. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not apply sunscreen on top of this medicine because it may affect how much estrogen is absorbed. Talk with your provider about this. Do not use a sunlamp.
If you wear contact lenses and notice a change in your vision or it becomes difficult to wear your lenses, contact your healthcare provider.
This medicine may increase your HDL cholesterol levels, decrease your LDL levels, and increase your blood triglyceride levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Make sure that children do not come into contact with any skin area where the medicine was applied. This medicine may cause premature puberty in children who are exposed to it.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, trouble breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat); sudden, severe headache; sudden, severe vomiting; sudden partial or complete loss of vision; speech problems; weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg; crushing chest pain or chest heaviness; coughing up blood; sudden shortness of breath; swelling.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unexplained bleeding from your vagina; dizziness, or fainting; breast lumps; redness, warmth, or swelling in your hands, ankles or feet; increased blood pressure; discomfort from contact lenses, vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes, especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or light-colored bowel movements.
Other: Changes in menstruation, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, acne, hair loss, cramping, minor bloating, depression, anxiety, weight gain or loss, headache, sensitivity to the sun; darkening of skin on the face; irritation where the medicine is applied.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
