Transdermal Estrogen

Aka: Transdermal Estrogen, Estraderm, Estrasorb, Transdermal Estradiol, Evanmist, Estrogel, Elestrin, Divigel, Vivelle Dot, Minivelle

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II. Indications

  1. Osteoporosis Prevention in postmenopausal women (Estraderm or Estrasorb)
    1. As of 2015, Estrogen is not recommended by ACOG or AAFP for chronic condition prevention
  2. Hot Flashes (Evanmist, Estrogel, Elestrin, Divigel)

III. Advantages

  1. Studies suggest no increased Thromboembolism risk
    1. Scarabin (2003) Lancet 362:428-32 [PubMed]

IV. Efficacy: Osteoporosis Prevention (Estraderm or Estrasorb)

  1. Placebo
    1. Hip BMD: 2.04% loss
    2. Lumbar Spine BMD: 2.49% loss
  2. Dose: 0.025 mg Estradiol patch
    1. Hip BMD: 0.26% gain
    2. Lumbar Spine BMD: 2.37% gain
  3. Dose: 0.05 mg Estradiol patch
    1. Hip BMD: 2.85% gain
    2. Lumbar Spine BMD: 4.09% gain
  4. Dose: 0.06 mg Estradiol patch
    1. Hip BMD: 3.05% gain
    2. Lumbar Spine BMD: 3.28% gain
  5. Dose: 0.1 mg Estradiol patch
    1. Hip BMD: 2.03% gain
    2. Lumbar Spine BMD: 4.70% gain
  6. References
    1. Weiss (1999) Obstet Gynecol 94:330-6 [PubMed]

V. Preparations: Transdermal Combination Progesterone and Estrogen

  1. Activella (17B-Estradiol-Norethindrone Acetate)
    1. Contains 1 mg Estradiol with 0.5 mg Norethindrone
  2. Climara Pro (17B-Estradiol-Levonorgestrel)
    1. Patch contains 0.045 mg Estradiol with 0.015 Levonorgestrel
    2. Patch applied weekly
  3. Combipatch (17B-Estradiol-Norethindrone Acetate)
    1. Patch contains 0.05 mg Estradiol with 0.014 or 0.25 mg Norethindrone
    2. Patch applied twice weekly

VI. Preparations: Agents used for Osteoporosis (Transdermal Estradiol)

  1. Preparations must be taken with Progesterone if Uterus intact (Endometrial Hyperplasia risk)
    1. See Continuous Estrogen Replacement
    2. See Sequential Estrogen Replacement
  2. Estrasorb (Transdermal Estradiol)
    1. Two foil packs equivalent to 0.05 mg Estradiol
    2. Rub one packet on right top of thigh, back of calf
    3. Repeat with second packet on left leg
    4. Do not apply with Sunscreen (increases absorption)
  3. Estraderm (Transdermal Estradiol Patch)
    1. Dosing: 0.05 mg Estradiol
    2. Change patch twice weekly using a different site
    3. Apply to non-irritated skin
      1. Lower Abdomen
      2. Buttock
      3. Do not apply to Breast

VII. Preparations: Agents used for Menopausal Hot Flashes (Transdermal Estradiol)

  1. Preparations must be taken with Progesterone if Uterus intact (Endometrial Hyperplasia risk)
    1. See Continuous Estrogen Replacement
    2. See Sequential Estrogen Replacement
  2. Evanmist
    1. Dosing: 1-3 sprays per day on inner Forearm to adjacent areas (not overlapping)
    2. Allow skin to dry for 30 minutes
  3. Estrogel (0.06% Estradiol)
    1. Pump delivers 0.75 mg of Estradiol (64 actuations per device)
    2. Apply gel from one wrist to the Shoulder, spreading thinly
  4. Elestrin (0.06% Estradiol)
    1. Pump delivers 0.52 mg of Estradiol (100 actuations per device)
    2. Apply to upper arm and Shoulder
    3. Allow to dry for 2 hours before immersing in water (e.g. swimming)
  5. Divigel (0.1% Estradiol)
    1. Foil packet delivers either 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg Estradiol per packet
    2. Apply packet contents to one upper thigh (5x7 inch area)
    3. Alternate to opposite side on subsequent application days
    4. Allow to dry for 1 hour before washing the area

VIII. References

  1. Filer (1994) Am Fam Physician 49(7):1639-42 [PubMed]
  2. Hill (2016) Am Fam Physician 94(11): 884-9 [PubMed]

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

elestrin (on 3/15/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
ELESTRIN 0.06% GEL $3.25 per gram
divigel (on 9/3/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
DIVIGEL 0.25 MG GEL PACKET $5.41 each
DIVIGEL 0.5 MG GEL PACKET $5.37 each
DIVIGEL 0.75 MG GEL PACKET $5.41 each
DIVIGEL 1 MG GEL PACKET $5.40 per gram
DIVIGEL 1.25 MG GEL PACKET $4.31 per gram
minivelle (on 1/1/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
MINIVELLE 0.0375 MG PATCH Generic $6.51 each
MINIVELLE 0.05 MG PATCH Generic $6.54 each
MINIVELLE 0.075 MG PATCH Generic $6.43 each
MINIVELLE 0.1 MG PATCH Generic $6.87 each
FPNotebook does not benefit financially from showing this medication data or their pharmacy links. This information is provided only to help medical providers and their patients see relative costs. Insurance plans negotiate lower medication prices with suppliers. Prices shown here are out of pocket, non-negotiated rates. See Needy Meds for financial assistance information. GoodRx is another tool for finding lower drug prices.

Related Topics in Pharmacology

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