Estraderm

Product Name:	Estraderm
Active Ingredient:	Estradiol
Packaging and contents form:	8mg/ 8 Patches
Manufacturer:	Novartis Limited
Country of Origin:	New Zealand

Estraderm (Estrogen- Estradiol) is a drug which acts as an estrogen replacement. Estraderm is designed to treat symptoms of the menopause, such as feelings of warmth in face, neck, and chest. Further it can help to reduce the sudden intense episodes of heat and sweating known as ``hot flashes.'' It is also used for other conditions caused by lack of estrogen, such as dry, itchy external genitals and vaginal irritation, and may be prescribed for teenagers who fail to mature at the usual rate.


Dosage & Administration Information:
It is important to follow your doctor's advice when using this drug and to follow the exact prescription. Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Commonly the patch is replaced twice a week, or as directed by your doctor.

Make sure to apply the patch to a dry, hairless and clean skin part as advised by your medical advisor or by the drug information leaflet. It is important that one applies the patch only on specific parts of the body. If you have any doubt on how and where to apply the patches, please ask your doctor or physician. If you have any questions about where to apply the patch, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Press the patch for about 10 seconds very firm on to the skin. Make sure that the patch stays on your skin. It is important not to apply the patch on an area of the body, where sunlight can reach, more over it should not be laid on your breast. Note that it is not advised to administer the patch on your waist or close to it, since your clothing might rub the patch away.

Further it is recommended to change the area of patch- application (there should be at least one week in between administration of same sides. In case the area around the patch becomes itchy, red or irritated apply the patch on another part of the body. Should the irritation continue or becomes worse, immediately let your medical advisor know.



Side effects:
As mentioned below there are certain side effects aligned with Estraderm. In case you do observe any of them, please do consult your doctor or pharmacist, because some of these side effects might need medical assistance.

• Abdominal Cramps
• Breast enlargement
• Breast tenderness
• Change in cervical secretion
• Change in cervical secretion
• Change in weigh
• Change in sex drive
• Bloating
• Darkening of the skin
• Rash
• Severe allergic reactions
• Hairloss
• High blood pressure

Precautions:
Estraderm should not be applied if one had uterine or breast cancer or a tumor caused through estrogen. It is important to avoid estrogens in case you are pregnant or if there is the chance of that you might be pregnant. More over don't take the drug if you have blood clots or a blood clotting disorder or a history of blood clotting disorders or abnormal genital bleeding. If taken for a long time or in large doses, the risk of cancer of the uterus increases.
There also have been cases of breast cancer in women who administered estrogen for an extended period of time or in high dosages. Estrogen also increases the risk of blood clots. These blood clots can cause heart attack or stroke. While taking Estraderm, contact your doctor immediately if you observe any following adverse reactions: Abnormal bleeding of the vagina, abdominal pain, tenderness or swelling, severe headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing blood, pain in your chest, vision changes, yellowing of the skin, breast lumps. Estraderm can induce fluid retention. In case you have epilepsy, migraine, asthma or kidney or heart disease, avoid using this medication or apply it very carefully. An Estrogen treatment can cause breast pain or, in some cases, uterine bleeding.