Sandrena

What is it?

An oestrogen preparation available as a gel in 2 strengths containing 0.5 and 1mg of oestradiol as hemihydrate.

Medical Uses

Hrt to treat symptoms of the menopause.

Dosage

Women, 1mg applied once each day either to the left or right thigh on alternate days at first. Then adjust after 2 to 3 months to maintenance in order of 0.5 to 1.5mg each day. In women retaining womb, a progestogen should be added for 10 to 12 days of each cycle.

Special Care

High blood pressure, 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.

Manufacturer

Organon.