Estradiol injection

What is this medicine?

ESTRADIOL (es tra DYE ole) is an estrogen. It is used to treat the symptoms of low hormone levels in menopausal women. It is used to treat women who have had their ovaries removed or who have ovaries that do not work well. It helps to treat hot flashes and vaginal problems. It is also used to treat men with some kinds of prostate cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

A patient package insert for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breast tissue changes or discharge

• changes in vision

• chest pain

• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• dark urine

• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms

• light-colored stools

• nausea, vomiting

• pain, swelling, warmth in the leg

• right upper belly pain

• severe headaches

• shortness of breath

• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg

• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• unusual vaginal bleeding

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• hair loss

• increased hunger or thirst

• increased urination

• symptoms of vaginal infection like itching, irritation or unusual discharge

• unusually weak or tired

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• aromatase inhibitors like aminoglutethimide, anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, testolactone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• carbamazepine

• certain antibiotics used to treat infections

• certain barbiturates or benzodiazepines used for inducing sleep or treating seizures

• grapefruit juice

• medicines for fungus infections like itraconazole and ketoconazole

• raloxifene or tamoxifen

• rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine

• ritonavir

• St. John's Wort

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding

• blood vessel disease or blood clots

• cancer

• gallbladder disease

• heart disease or recent heart attack

• high blood pressure

• high level of calcium in the blood

• hysterectomy

• protein C deficiency

• protein S deficiency

• an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, other hormones, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine. You should also discuss the need for regular mammograms with your health care professional, and follow his or her guidelines for these tests.

This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medicine, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.

If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye doctor or health care professional.

This medicine can increase the risk of developing a condition (endometrial hyperplasia) that may lead to cancer of the lining of the uterus. Taking progestins, another hormone drug, with this medicine lowers the risk of developing this condition. Therefore, if your uterus has not been removed (by a hysterectomy), your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take together with your estrogen. You should know, however, that taking estrogens with progestins may have additional health risks. You should discuss the use of estrogens and progestins with your health care professional to determine the benefits and risks for you.

If you are going to have surgery, let your doctor know you are receiving estrogen. Consult your health care professional for advice before you schedule the surgery.