Estradiol Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

All forms:

• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.

• There may be a higher risk of endometrial or breast cancer.

• The patch may contain conducting metal. Remove patch before MRI.

• If you have asthma, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have any circulation problems, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high calcium levels, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have had high triglyceride levels, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have migraines, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Do not take St John's wort, dong quai, black cohosh, saw palmetto, red clover, or ginseng with this medicine.

• Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 years of age and/or smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day are at an increased risk for heart disease.

• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

Skin emulsion:

• Do not apply sunscreen to legs before using emulsion or soon after using emulsion.

Skin gel:

• Do not apply sunscreen before using gel or soon after using gel.

• Do not apply sunscreen to gel area for 7 days in a row.

Skin spray:

• Apply sunscreen 1 hour before using spray.

• Avoid exposing another person to the spray or the treated area of your skin.

• If a child comes in contact with the spray, she/he should wash area with soap and water.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Swelling.

• Skin irritation.

• Breast enlargement.

• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.

• For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.

• Gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and other vascular problems can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Chest pain or pressure.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Swelling or pain of leg or arm.

• Severe headache.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not able to eat.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Change in contact lens tolerance.

• Severe skin irritation.

• A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.

• Any signs of accidental exposure of spray to children. These include early puberty and enlarged sex organs.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.