Dermestril

What is it?

A hormonal, oestrogen preparation available as skin patches delivering either 25, 50 or 100µg of oestradiol per 24 hour period. Also, DERMESTRIL SEPTEM, available as skin patches delivering either 50 or 75µg of oestradiol per 24 hour period.

Medical Uses

Hormone replacement therapy to supply oestrogen during and after the menopause.

Dosage

Women, all patches to be applied to clean area of non-hairy skin below waist. Demestril, start with 50µg patch and replace after 3 to 4 days using a different part of the skin; adjust dose after 4 weeks according to response. Maximum dose is 100µg each day. Demestril Septem, start with 50µg patch and replace on fresh area of skin after 7 days; adjust after 4 weeks according to response. In all cases, may be used continuously or on a cyclical basis with a 2 to 7 day break. Also, if a progestogen is needed, the appropriate dose must be taken for 10 to 12 days of each month.

Special Care

Women at any risk of thrombosis and those with liver disease. Liver function should be moni tored every 2 to 3 months during treatment. Patients with diabetes, porphyria, migraine, epilepsy, hypertension, fibroids in the uterus, multiple scle rosis, ostosclerosis, gallstones, tetany, kidney disorders, asthma, SLE. These persons should be closely monitored. Also, women with a family history of breast cancer or fibrocystic disease of the breast should be carefully monitored. Breasts and pelvic organs should be examined and blood pressure checked regularly before and during the period of treatment. There is a small increased risk of breast cancer with HRT treatment. Persisitent breakthrough bleeding should be investigated.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, endometriosis, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, hormone-dependent cancers, breast cancer, serious heart, liver or kidney disease, thromboembolism, deep-vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis. Also, women with kidney, liver or heart disease and Rotor or Dubin- Johnson syndromes. Drug should be stopped 6 weeks before planned surgery and during any condition which makes thrombosis more likely.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Drugs which induce liver enzymes.

Known Side Effects

Breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, tenderness and enlargement of breasts, gastro-intestinal upset, dizziness, nausea, headache, lowering of glucose tolerance, itching, short-lived rashes, vomiting, raised blood pressure, liver effects, nosebleeds, cholestatic jaundice, Drug should be stopped immediately in the event of frequent severe headaches, migraine, disturbance of vision, itching of whole body, thromboembolism or thrombophlebitis, jaundice, hepatitis, or sudden blood pressure rise.

Special Care

Women at any risk of thrombosis and those with liver disease. Liver function should be monitored every 2 to 3 months during treatment. Patients with diabetes, porphyria, migraine, epilepsy, hypertension, fibroids in the uterus, multiple sclerosis, ostosclerosis, gallstones, tetany, kidney disorders, asthma, SLE. These persons should be closely monitored. Also, women with a family history of breast cancer or fibrocystic disease of the breast should be carefully monitored. Breasts and pelvic organs should be examined and blood pressure checked regularly before and during the period of treatment. There is a small increased risk of breast cancer with HRT treatment. Persisitent breakthrough bleeding should be investigated.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, endometriosis, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, hormone-dependent cancers, breast cancer, serious heart, liver or kidney disease, thromboembolism, deep-vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis. Also, women with kidney, liver or heart disease and Rotor or Dubin- Johnson syndromes. Drug should be stopped 6 weeks before planned surgery and during any condition which makes thrombosis more likely.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Drugs which induce liver enzymes.

Known Side Effects

Breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, tenderness and enlargement of breasts, gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, nausea, headache, lowering of glucose tolerance, itching, short-lived rashes, vomiting, raised blood pressure, liver effects, nose bleeds, cholestatic jaundice, Drug should be stopped immediately in the event of frequent severe headaches, migraine, disturbance of vision, itching of whole body, thromboembolism or thrombophlebitis, jaundice, hepatitis, or sudden blood pressure rise.

Manufacturer

Strakan.