Climara vs Vivelle-Dot

Climara vs Vivelle-Dot – detailed comparison:

Climara

It is the brand name of a medication called estradiol transdermal, a skin patch that contains a form of estrogen.

Mechanism of Action

It replaces estrogen, which is not naturally produced by the ovaries.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Also, it is used to treat conditions in which a woman’s ovaries do not produce enough estrogen naturally.

How To Use It

Notes – never cut a skin patch. Do not apply a patch where it might be rubbed off by tight clothing, like under an elastic waistband. Choose a different spot within these skin areas each time you apply a new patch.

Apply the skin patch to clean, dry skin on your buttocks or stomach (do not apply a skin patch to your breasts). Press the patch firmly into place for approximately 10 seconds.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • rapid weight gain;
  • headache;
  • vomiting;
  • redness or irritation where the patch was worn;
  • nausea;
  • breast pain;
  • stomach cramps;
  • thinning scalp hair;
  • bloating;
  • breakthrough bleeding;
  • weight gain;
  • changes in your menstrual periods;
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

Rare side effects may include:

  • skin rash;
  • unusual vaginal bleeding;
  • problems with vision or balance;
  • swelling or tenderness in your stomach;
  • redness in one or both legs;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • feeling tired or restless;
  • a lump in your breast;
  • confusion;
  • chest pain or pressure;
  • joint pain;
  • pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
  • muscle pain or weakness;
  • slurred speech;
  • increased thirst or urination;
  • overactive reflexes;
  • muscle tightness or contraction;
  • fast or slow heart rate;
  • numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth;
  • coughing up blood;
  • sudden severe headache.

Contraindications

Before taking this medication, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

  • a recent history of heart attack or stroke;
  • unusual vaginal bleeding;
  • a history of hormone-dependent cancer;
  • liver disease;
  • if you have ever had a blood clot;
  • a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • prednisone;
  • levothyroxine;
  • Synthroid (levothyroxine);
  • Lipitor (atorvastatin).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Do not use estradiol transdermal if you are pregnant. Tell your healthcare professional right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Estradiol transdermal lowers the hormone needed to produce breast milk and can slow breast milk production. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding.

Vivelle-Dot

It is the brand name of a medication called estradiol transdermal, which contains estradiol in a multipolymeric adhesive. The system is produced to release estradiol continuously upon application to intact skin.

Mechanism of Action

The active ingredient in this product is estradiol, a form of the hormone estrogen. It replaces estrogen that is not naturally produced by the ovaries.

Contraindications

Before using estradiol transdermal, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

  • undiagnosed vaginal bleeding;
  • liver disease;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • if you have ever had a heart attack or a blood clot;
  • cancer of the uterus/cervix, breast, or vagina.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat signs and symptoms of menopause, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Moreover, it is used to help prevent osteoporosis after menopause and conditions in which a woman’s ovaries do not produce sufficient estrogen naturally.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Do not use estradiol transdermal if you are pregnant. Tell your healthcare professional right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Estradiol transdermal lowers the hormone needed to produce breast milk and can slow breast milk production. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding.

How To Use It

Notes – never cut a skin patch. Do not apply a patch where it might be rubbed off by tight clothing, like under an elastic waistband. Choose a different spot within these skin areas each time you apply a new patch.

Apply the skin patch to clean, dry skin on your buttocks or stomach (do not apply a skin patch to your breasts). Press the patch firmly into place for approximately 10 seconds.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while using estradiol transdermal since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of side effects.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • breakthrough bleeding;
  • breast pain;
  • bloating;
  • headache;
  • vaginal itching or discharge;
  • fluid retention;
  • changes in your menstrual periods;
  • vomiting;
  • stomach cramps;
  • thinning scalp hair;
  • nausea;
  • irritation where the patch was worn.

Less common side effects may include:

  • anxiety;
  • severe headache;
  • a breast lump;
  • sweating;
  • memory problems;
  • nosebleed;
  • problems with vision or balance;
  • sudden vision loss;
  • slurred speech;
  • pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
  • increased thirst or urination;
  • tenderness in your stomach;
  • coughing up blood;
  • chest pain or pressure;
  • unusual vaginal bleeding;
  • pelvic pain;
  • bone pain;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • sudden numbness or weakness;
  • pounding in your neck or ears;
  • lack of energy;
  • blurred vision,

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • Minivelle (estradiol);
  • Synthroid;
  • prednisone;
  • levothyroxine.

Bottom Line – Climara vs Vivelle-Dot

Climara skin patch (active ingredient – estradiol) is used to treat certain symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irritation. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.

Vivelle-Dot skin patch (active ingredient – estradiol) is used to treat certain symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, and vaginal dryness and irritation. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.

In conclusion, both products are used as a treatment for low estrogen and contain the same active ingredient. Both are used only once per week. The actual difference between these two patches lies in the specific adhesive used and the method the hormone is mixed into it.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10868691
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1567405
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406483/

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