Drug name
Estrace (Estradiol)
Drug Uses
Estrace helps to treat conditions caused by menopause, vaginal or vulval atrophy. Estrace prevents brittle bones (osteoporosis). It can also be taken for therapy of estrogen replacement after ovaries breakdown and to soften breast cancer symptoms.
How Taken
Take the medication as determined by your doctor. As a rule, it is taken by mouth with food or without it. In case you have a stomach upset, it should be taken with food for reducing the irritation of stomach.
Consult your doctor before eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice when you are using Estrace because this fruit may highten the danger of the medication’s side effects.
Address your health care provider or doctor if you have some questions about how to use the drug.
Drug Class and Mechanism
This female estrogen hormone replaces natural estrogens in those women who cannot generate a sufficient quantity of estrogen any more. It antagonizes male hormones by working for advanced cancer of prostate.
Missed Dose
If you omit a dose of Estrace, take it immediately. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Keep the medication between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). products_description-term saving at temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F) is allowed. Store away from light, heat, moisture, and light. Save it beyond the reach of children and pets.
Warnings Precautions
You are not allowed to take Estrace if:
you have allergies to its ingredients;
you are pregnant or think you may become pregnant;
you are breast-feeding;
you have unusual vaginal bleeding;
you have blood clots or vein painfullness;
you have had a heart attack or heart stroke;
you have liver problems;
you have a breast cancer or other cancers that depend on estrogen.
Contact your health care provider/doctor immediately in case some of these apply to you.
Important:
Sometimes Estrace causes dizziness. Dizziness may worsen on condition that you use Estrace some medicines or alcohol. Take the drug carefully. You are not adviced to drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Estrace. Using Estrace alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Estrace may provoke melasma to appear on your skin. You are adviced to avoid sunlamps and long-time exposure to the sun. While taking Estrace you should use protective clothing and sunscreens.
Estrace is able to highten the blood clots danger, especially if you smoke.
Vaginal bleeding of unknown reason may be a sign of a serious condition that requires instant medical attention.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. You should examine your breasts regularly and in case of noticed lumps contact your doctor.
You may be required to monitor your dosage or condition if you are currently using an azole antifungal, ritonavir, carbamazepine, a macrolide antibiotic, or St. John's wort, cimetidine.
Inform your doctor beforehand in case you are planning to have any surgery or if you will have to stay in bed or chair (like during a long flight in a plane seat) for a long time.
For preventing loss of bones you are adviced to do certain weight-bearing exercises and keep diet with sufficient vitamin D and calcium amounts. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for details.
Estrace influences some laboratory tests. You should inform laboratory personnel that you are currenyly using this medicine.
You should check your blood sugar regularly while taking Estrace because the drug influences blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before changing the dosage of your diabetes medication.
Laboratory tests may be made when you take Estrace. Such tests, including breast and pelvic tests, a Pap test, help to control your health condition and check side effects. You should not avoid all laboratory and doctor appointments.
You must not take Estrace in case you are pregnant. On condition you suspect you are pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. You should discuss all benefits and risks of taking Estace during your pregnance. It is known that Estrace passes into human breast milk. Stop breast-feeding while using this medication.
Possible Side Effects
Medicines may provoke certain side effects. Nevertherless, many people have no/ minor side effects. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects take place:
loss of hair; nausea; vomiting; pain in breast pain; breast tenderness; headache; stomach cramps.
Ask for medical attention immediately in case any of these serious side effects take place:
serious allergic reactions (chest tightness; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; rash; hives; difficulty breathing); ringing in the ears; seizures; anxiety; nervousness; coughing up blood; headache; pain in chest; tremor; yellowing of the skin or eyes; trouble concentrating; coordination loss; bruising/bleeding; mood changes; vision problems; depression, confusion; decreased urination; irregular heartbeat; back pain;breast discharge; lump in the breast; vaginal bleeding; sore throat; problems with memory; dizziness; pain in stomach; weakness; breath shortness; muscle pain.
More Information
Estrace should be used only by those patient for whom it is prescribed by a doctor. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms become worse and do not improve, contact your doctor.