|
|||
|
DRUGS & SUPPLEMENTS
|
Estradiol
How often in a day do you take medicine? How many times? |
Estradiol uses
Estradiol information
Estradiol is a female sex hormone that regulates many functions in the female organism. This medicine is currently available under the form of tablets in two concentrations - 1 mg and 2 mg, respectively.
Estradiol indications
Estradiol is used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, irritation or burning, or hot flushes - other symptoms that are not listed here may be treated with this medicine as well. Also, this pharmaceutical preparation can be used as a prophylactic agent for the prevention of a medical condition known as osteoporosis in both female and male patients. In some cases, this medicine may also be employed in conjunction with other drugs as part of the treatment for certain types of cancer, both in the case of women and men.
There may be other uses for Estradiol, which are not covered in this leaflet. If you are interested to find out more about the possible uses of this product, it is recommended that you consult with a pharmacist or a specialized physician.
Estradiol warnings
Estradiol should not be administered to patients that are suffering from any type of disorder involving blood clots, or from circulatory / cardiac disorders. Patients who present an undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding may not start taking this medicine until they undergo medical examination and receive their physician's approval. Also, patients that have uterine cancer, breast cancer or any type of hormone-dependant cancer may not start a treatment with Estradiol.
Before you start a therapy course with this drug, it is strongly advised to inform your personal physician of any health problems you may be suffering from. In particular, affections such as hypertension, heart disease, angina, high triglyceride / cholesterol levels, renal or hepatic disease, asthma, migraines, epilepsy, diabetes or gallbladder disease should be mentioned, as well as past surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy. Patients suffering from these conditions may require special dosage adjustments or monitoring during the treatment.
Estradiol may not be administered during pregnancy. Also, for the duration of the therapy you will need to employ an effective, non-hormonal contraceptive method.
Pharmaceutical products based on Estradiol (including Estradiol) increase the patients' risk of developing an affection known as endometrial hyperplasia. This can be countered by administration of progestin medication. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor for more information.
Estradiol intake guidelines
You need to take Estradiol exactly as directed by your health care specialist. You may take the tablets with a glass of water or with food to reduce stomach upset; however you may not chew, crush or break the tablets.
While following a treatment course with Estradiol you will need to undergo regular medical examination, typically on a monthly basis. Also, you will need to regularly self-examine your breasts for the presence of lumps.
Estradiol dosage
Your health care specialist will determine the Estradiol dosage appropriate for your case by taking into consideration a number of factors, most of which are characteristic to you; as such, your medication dosage is very likely to be different from that of other patients'. Because of that, you should never use the Estradiol dosage that has been prescribed to another patient - you may not obtain the desired results unless you employ the medication dosage best suited for your situation.
At the same time, your physician will inform you regarding the duration of the Estradiol therapy and the number of daily intakes. Make sure that you understand all of his or her indications. If you have trouble understanding or remembering any of the dosage directions, you should ask your physician to assist you by providing additional information.
Estradiol overdose
If an overdose with Estradiol is suspected, immediately contact the nearest hospital as the patient may need emergency medical assistance. The most common signs of an overdose are vaginal bleeding, nausea and vomiting.
Estradiol missed dose
In the event that you miss taking one of your Estradiol doses, take it when you remember before returning to your normal dosing schedule. However, you should skip taking the missed dose if it is almost time for another dose of the medicine. Consult with your physician if you have missed two or more intakes.
Estradiol side effects
Side effects of a treatment with Estradiol include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, swelling of the breasts, sex drive changes, impotence, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, discomfort or pain, break-through bleeding, menstrual period changes, jaundice, sudden weakness or numbness, breast lumps. These are not all the signs and symptoms that may appear. It is best that you check with your doctor at any point during the course of your therapy if anything unusual occurs.
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to Estradiol are possible. It is strongly recommended that you cease taking the medicine and contact your personal health care provider if you begin experiencing any of the characteristic symptoms - breathing difficulties, swelling of the throat, lips, tongue or face, rashes and hives.
Estradiol drug reactions
Estradiol may interact with Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Ritonavir, Cimetidine, Carbamazepine, Rifampin, blood thinning agents such as Warfarin or with antibiotics (Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole or Itraconazole). Also, this product may interact with the herbal remedy St. John's wort. These are not all the possible drug reactions; it is best that you tell your prescriber about any other drugs you are currently taking prior to starting your treatment. In most cases, an adjustment to the medication dosage will ensure the safety of the treatment, reducing the risk of accidental interactions.
Estradiol pharmaceutical active ingredients containing related brand and generic drugs:
Estradiol available forms, composition, doses:
Composition is the list of ingredients which combinedly form a medicine. Both active ingredients and inactive ingredients form the composition. The active ingredient gives the desired therapeutic effect whereas the inactive ingredient helps in making the medicine stable.
Doses are various strengths of the medicine like 10mg, 20mg, 30mg and so on. Each medicine comes in various doses which is decided by the manufacturer, that is, pharmaceutical company. The dose is decided on the severity of the symptom or disease.