Estradiol Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Estradiol Tablet is a form of estrogen used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, low estrogen levels from certain conditions, and to prevent bone loss after menopause. It is also used for symptom relief in certain advanced breast and prostate cancers. It is taken by mouth and is available in several strengths. As with all estrogen medicines, it carries certain warnings and precautions that should be discussed with a doctor.

What is Estradiol Tablet

Estradiol tablet is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone. It is used to treat menopause symptoms and other conditions related to low estrogen levels, and it also has specific uses in certain cancers.

Estradiol Tablet uses

• Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
• Vaginal dryness caused by menopause
• Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions like ovarian failure
• Certain advanced stages of breast cancer (for symptom relief)
• Certain advanced stages of prostate cancer (for symptom relief)
• Prevention of bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause

Benefits of Estradiol Tablet

• Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness
• Available in several strengths so your dose can be adjusted to your needs
• Comes as a tablet taken by mouth

How Estradiol Tablet works

During menopause, the body makes less estrogen, which can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. Estradiol tablet replaces this estrogen to help relieve these symptoms and protect bone. At higher doses, it can also act against certain breast and prostate cancers by affecting hormone activity in the body.

Estradiol Tablet dosage

This medicine can be taken with or without food. Your prescriber may have you take it every day or in cycles (for example, daily for a few weeks followed by a break), so follow the schedule your prescriber gives you. Take it exactly as prescribed, and do not take more or for longer than recommended.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not double up. If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop taking this medicine for a short time beforehand. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as they may interact with this medicine. Avoid smoking, since it can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg strengths)

Side effects of Estradiol Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Breast pain
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Mood changes, sleep problems
• Cold-like symptoms (stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat)
• Weight gain
• Back pain, dizziness
• Darkening of the skin or skin rash
• Thinning scalp hair
• Vaginal itching or discharge, changes in menstrual periods

Serious

• Heart attack: chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pain radiating to shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
• Stroke: sudden trouble talking or walking, numbness on one side of the body or face, severe headache, dizziness, confusion
• Blood clot: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fast heart rate, swelling, pain, or redness in arms or legs
• Cancer signs: lumps, pain, swelling, or changes in the breasts; unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding; swollen lymph nodes; bloating; extreme tiredness; stomach-area pain
• Gallbladder problems: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Liver injury: right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Vision problems: sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, bulging eyes, double vision, migraines
• High calcium levels: extreme thirst, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion
• Allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• This medicine can lower the amount and quality of breast milk, and small amounts can pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before starting this medicine. This medicine should not be used if you have liver disease, since estradiol is processed by the liver and liver problems can increase side effects.
• This medicine can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer), especially with long-term use. Tell your prescriber right away about any unusual vaginal bleeding.
• Taking this medicine together with a progestin can raise the risk of breast cancer, and the risk increases the longer it is used.
• This medicine can raise the risk of blood clots, which can lead to stroke, a blood clot in the lungs, or a blood clot in the legs.
• This medicine should not be used to try to prevent heart disease, and it can actually raise the risk of a heart attack.
• People over 65 who use this type of medicine have a higher risk of developing dementia.
• This medicine can sometimes cause gallbladder problems, and some people have needed gallbladder surgery after starting it.
• A blood clot in the eye can occur with this type of medicine, which can cause sudden vision loss.
• This medicine can raise triglyceride levels, which can lead to pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis).
• This medicine can affect thyroid hormone levels, so people on thyroid medicine may need a dose adjustment.
• This medicine can cause the body to hold extra fluid, which is more likely if you have heart or kidney problems.
• This medicine can cause very high calcium levels in women with breast cancer that has spread to the bones.
• This medicine should not be used if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, a history of certain cancers, blood clots, a recent stroke or heart attack, or liver problems.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or vision or balance problems.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot, such as sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or pain or warmth in a leg.
• Tell your doctor right away about swelling or tenderness in your stomach, yellowing of your skin or eyes, memory problems or confusion, unusual vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, or a breast lump.
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice sudden loss of vision, bulging eyes, double vision, or migraines, and stop taking the medicine until you are examined.

Alternatives

• Estriol
• Conjugated Estrogens
• Tibolone