Oestrogel

What is it?

An oestrogen preparation available as a gel for delivery with measured dose, pump device, containing 0.06% oestradiol.

Medical Uses

Hrt to treat vasomotor symptoms, atrophic urethritis and vaginitis (inflammation of urethra and vagina). Prevention of osteoporosis after the menopause.

Dosage

Women, for menopausal symptoms, urethritis, vaginitis, 2 doses applied to arms, shoulders or inside of thighs once each day at first, continuing for 4 weeks. If no significant improvement, dose can be increased to 4 measures daily. Prevention of osteoporosis, 2 doses applied as above once each day. Women who have a womb should Also, take a progestogen for 12 days each month, as advised by doctor.

Special Care

Hypertension, severe kidney disease receiving dialysis, Raynaud's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, varicose veins, elevated levels of prolactin (a hormone) in the blood (hyperprolactinemia). Risk of thrombosis increases with smoking, age and obesity. Blood pressure, breasts and pelvic organs should be checked during period of treatment.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, heart and circulatory diseases, angina, sickle cell anaemia, pulmonary hypertension. Also, hormone-dependent cancers, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, chorea, liver disease, history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy, infectious hepatitis, Dublin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, recent trophoblastic disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, tetracyclines, primidone, chloral hydrate, glutethimide, phenylbutazone, rifampicin, griseofulvin, ampicillin, dichloralphenazone, ethosuximide, barbiturates, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Feeling of bloatedness due to fluid retention, leg pains, breast enlargement, erosion of cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal discharge, loss of libido, nausea, brown patches on skin (chloasma). Stop drug immediately in event of pregnancy.