Estradiol hemihydrate
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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Boxed warning
WARNING: ENDOMETRIAL CANCER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, PROBABLE DEMENTIA, and BREAST CANCER Estrogen-Alone Therapy Endometrial Cancer There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens. Adding a progestogen to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer. Perform adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 7.1 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg]-alone, relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , and Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen-alone ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and older during 5.2 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone, relative to placebo.
It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) , Use in Specific Populations (8.5) , and Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . Do not use estrogen-alone therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 , 5.4) , and Clinical Studies (14.2 , 14.3) ] . Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE was studied in the estrogen-alone substudy of the WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding adverse cardiovascular events and dementia to lower CE doses, other routes of administration, or other estrogen-alone products is not known.
Without such data, it is not possible to definitively exclude these risks or determine the extent of these risks for other products. Discuss with your patient the benefits and risks of estrogen-alone therapy, taking into account her individual risk profile. Prescribe estrogens with or without progestogens at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), DVT, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) in…
Handling and access
NIOSH hazardous drug
Table 2NIOSH lists estradiol as a hazardous drug. AHFS class: 68:16.04 estrogens; 92:24 bone resorption inhibitors.
- Meets the NIOSH definition of a hazardous drug (carcinogenicity, developmental or reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, or genotoxicity) without MSHI or a Group 1 or 2A carcinogen classification.
Handle with the precautions your facility uses for hazardous drugs (USP <800>). NIOSH's Managing Hazardous Drug Exposures lists controls by drug form and activity.
Dosing in kidney impairment
Monitor any woman with a condition(s) that might predispose her to fluid retention, such as a cardiac or renal impairment. Discontinue estrogen-alone therapy, including estradiol, with evidence of medically concerning fluid retention. 5.14 Hypocalcemia Estrogen-induced hypocalcemia may occur in women with hypoparathyroidism.
Drug interactions
Check estradiol hemihydrate against a medication listLabel text (2 paragraphs)
In-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown that estrogens are metabolized partially by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Therefore, inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism. Inducers of CYP3A4, such as St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) preparations, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin, may reduce plasma concentrations of estrogens, possibly resulting in a decrease in therapeutic effects and/or changes in the uterine bleeding profile. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir and grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of estrogens and may result in adverse reactions.
Inducers and inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism and decrease or increase the estrogen plasma concentration. ( 7 )
Contraindications
Estradiol is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions: Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Estrogen-dependent neoplasia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke or MI), or a history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Known anaphylactic reaction, or angioedema, or hypersensitivity to estradiol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ] . Hepatic impairment or disease.
Protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders. Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding ( 4 , 5.3 ) Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer ( 4 , 5.3 ) Estrogen-dependent neoplasia ( 4 , 5.3 ) Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions ( 4 , 5.2 ) Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke or MI), or a history of these conditions ( 4 , 5.2 ) Known anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, or hypersensitivity to estradiol ( 4 , 5.16 ) Hepatic impairment or disease ( 4 , 5.11 ) Protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficient, or other known thrombophilic disorders ( 4 )
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
LiverTox has no chapter for estradiol hemihydrate. Check the label's hepatic warnings.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Estradiol is not indicated for use in pregnancy. There are no data with the use of estradiol in pregnant women; however, epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or nongenital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to combined hormonal contraceptives (estrogens and progestins) before conception or during early pregnancy. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Breastfeeding (LactMed)
Limited information on the use of estradiol during breastfeeding indicates that the route of administration and dosage form have influences on the amount transferred into breastmilk. Vaginal administration results in measurable amounts in milk, but transdermal patches do not. Maternal doses of up to 200 mcg daily transdermally do not increase estradiol or estriol in breastfed infants or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Vaginal administration results in unpredictable peak times for estradiol in breastmilk, so timing of the dose with respect to breastfeeding is probably not useful. Milk estradiol levels have not been studied after use of the estradiol gel, but maternal blood levels only increase slightly in a dose-dependent manner. Estrogens can decrease the milk supply, especially if started before the milk supply is well established at about 6 weeks postpartum.
- Ethinyl Estradiol
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
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