Estradiol (Oral)

• Estradiol is a hormone replacement medicine used to relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, and vaginal dryness, itching, or burning.
• Estradiol can also help prevent thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) after menopause, alongside a healthy diet, calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, and regular exercise.

• Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional tells you. The amount and how often you take it will be on your prescription label.
• Swallow the tablet with water, with or without food, at about the same time every day.
• If you still have your uterus, you may be told to take estradiol only on certain days of the month, along with a progestin on other days. Follow your healthcare professional's instructions closely.
• If you have had your uterus removed, you will usually take estradiol every day of the month.

If you miss a dose

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule.
• Do not take two doses at the same time.

• Do not take estradiol if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• Do not take estradiol while breastfeeding.

• Do not take estradiol if you have or have had breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or blood clots.
• Do not take estradiol if you have liver disease or migraines with aura (classical migraine).
• Do not take estradiol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, gallbladder disease, epilepsy, asthma, or kidney disease.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, or if you or a close family member has had blood clots.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you still have your uterus, since you will likely also need a second hormone, called a progestin, to protect your uterus.

Important warnings

• Taking estrogen together with a progestin increases the risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots in the lungs or large veins.
• Taking estrogen alone increases the risk of stroke and blood clots in large veins.
• Estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease or stroke.
• If you still have your uterus and take estrogen without a progestin, you have a higher risk of overgrowth of the lining of the uterus and uterine cancer.
• Women 65 and older who take estrogen with a progestin may have a higher risk of memory problems.
• Estradiol should be used at the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time needed.

• Nausea or an upset stomach
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Headache
• Mood changes or irritability
• Spotting or changes in vaginal bleeding
• Weight changes

When to get emergency help

• Chest pain or pressure, or crushing chest heaviness
• Sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood
• Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in your leg or arm
• Sudden severe headache, vision changes, weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
• Sudden loss of vision or coordination

When to contact a healthcare professional

• New lumps, discharge, or changes in your breasts or nipples
• Vaginal bleeding that is unusual, heavy, or occurs after menopause
• Yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools
• Persistent sad mood or new depression
• Pain in your groin

• You can take estradiol with or without food.
• Grapefruit juice can raise the level of estrogen in your body; ask the Care365 care team if this is a concern for you.
• Tell the Care365 care team about all medicines you take, including blood thinners, diabetes medicines, seizure medicines, and herbal products like St. John's Wort, since these can change how well estradiol works.
• If you have a blood test, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking estradiol, since it can affect some test results.

• Store estradiol at room temperature, in a tightly closed container, protected from light.
• Keep it out of the reach and sight of children.
• Bring unused or expired tablets to the Care365 care team for safe disposal.