How does Climara (Estradiol) work:

Climara skin patches are used to treat certain symptoms of menopause such as dryness, burning, and itching of the vaginal area.

Climara's main active ingredient estradiol is a naturally occurring form of the main female sex hormone. Falling levels of oestrogen can cause symptoms like irregular periods, mood swings, night sweats, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and/ or itching.
Estradiol is generally used to avoid the declining levels of oestrogen in the body. It supports the reduction of the very stressful symptoms of the menopause. This method usually is found under the name hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT mostly is used for the short-term relief of menopausal symptoms. If you wish for any longer-term treatment please discuss this with your medical advisor.

Dosage & Administration:

Your individual Climara dosage (estradiol patch), which usually your medical advisor will choose, will depend on a number of factors. Mostly it is relying on factors such as your natural response to the active ingredient estradiol and any other medical conditions you might have. Never adjust your Climara dosage yourself, only do so if your physician in particular gives you instructions to do so.

Usually it is advised to use the drug at the lowest but most effective dosage as possible and shortest possible period of time. The most effective dosage can be very different from individual to individual. However for most patients, the recommended starting dosage of Climara is a 0.025 mg patch applied once a week. In case it is essential your physician might increase your individual dose.

Climara skin patches are used and changed once per week. Place the patch on clean and dry skin onto your lower abdomen or if you prefer or on your upper buttocks. It is important to rotate the application sites, because it should be avoided to place the patch on the same area twice in a row. Try to avoid placing the patch directly at your waistline, so that your clothes do not rub against the patch and thus cannot fall of.

If you are unsure about anything related to your Climara dosage, please talk to your physician, nurse, or pharmacist.

Side Effects:

Side effects have been rare and if they do pop up they are commonly of mild nature. Nonetheless one might experience certain adverse reactions when applying Climara, since there are some side effects aligned with this medication. However, you may not experience any of the following symptoms. Please discuss any reactions immediately with your medical advisor, since some of these adverse reactions do need medical relief.

• Hot Flushes (almost at night sweats)
• Vaginal dryness
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Headache
• Depression
• Nervousness
• Dizziness
• Thinning of the bones

Precautions:

Do not use Climara if you are allergic to Climara (estradiol) or to any of Climaras other components. Ask you physician to give you a list of those inactive components. Further do not use Climara, if you have a history of breast cancer or had a heart attack or stroke within the past year.
Before taking Climara, please tell your physician, if you have:

• Diabetes
• Varicose veins
• Multiple sclerosis
• High blood pressure
• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Heart disease
• Asthma
• Gall bladder disease
• High Cholesterol
• An underactive tyroid
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Further it is advised to let your physician know if you:

• Have an upcoming surgery
• Smoke cigarettes
• Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Are breast feeding

Further Information:

For more information about any other possible risks, please consult your physician or pharmacist and read the information provided with Climara.