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Estring®
estradiol vaginal ring
2 mg
See:
Estradiol Evista
Mircette
Activella Alora
Climara Pro
CombiPatch Delestrogen
Esclim Estraderm
Estrace Tablets
Evamist Vagifem Vivelle-Dot
All of these products are used to reduce symptoms
of menopause, including feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest; the
sudden intense episodes of heat and sweating known as "hot flashes"; dry, itchy
external genitals; and vaginal irritation. They are also prescribed for other
conditions that cause low levels of estrogen, and some doctors prescribe them
for teenagers who fail to mature at the usual rate.
Along with diet, calcium supplements, and exercise, Alora, Estraderm, Climara,
Vivelle, and Vivelle-Dot are prescribed to prevent osteoporosis, a condition in
which the bones become brittle and easily broken.
ESTRING (estradiol vaginal ring) is a slightly opaque ring with a whitish core
containing a drug reservoir of 2 mg estradiol. Estradiol, silicone polymers and
barium sulfate are combined to form the ring. When placed in the vagina, ESTRING
releases estradiol, approximately 7.5 mg/24 hours, in a consistent stable manner
over 90 days. ESTRING has the following dimensions: outer diameter 55 mm;
cross-sectional diameter 9 mm; core diameter 2 mm. One ESTRING should be
inserted into the upper third of the vaginal vault, to be worn continuously for
three months.
Estradiol is chemically described as estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17b -diol. The
molecular formula of estradiol is C18H24O2.
The molecular weight of estradiol is 272.39.
WARNING
1. ESTROGENS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO INCREASE THE
RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN.
Close clinical surveillance of all women taking estrogens is important. Adequate
diagnostic measures, including endometrial sampling when indicated, should be
undertaken to rule out malignancy in all cases of undiagnosed persistent or
recurring abnormal vaginal bleeding. There is no evidence that "natural"
estrogens are more or less hazardous than "synthetic" estrogens at equi-estrogenic
doses.
2. ESTROGENS SHOULD NOT BE USED DURING
PREGNANCY.
There is no indication for estrogen therapy during pregnancy or during immediate
postpartum period. Estrogens are ineffective for the prevention or treatment of
threatened or habitual abortion. Estrogens are not indicated for the prevention
of postpartum breast engorgement.
Estrogen therapy during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of
congenital defects in the reproductive organs of the fetus, and possibly other
birth defects. Studies of women who received diethylstilbestrol (DES) during
pregnancy have shown that female offspring have an increased risk of vaginal
adenosis, squamous cell dysplasia of the uterine cervix, and clear cell vaginal
cancer later in life; male offspring have an increased risk of urogenital
abnormalities and possibly testicular cancer later in life. The 1985 DES Task
Force concluded that the use of DES during pregnancy is associated with a
subsequent increased risk of breast cancer in the mothers, although a causal
relationship remains unproven and the observed level of excess risk is similar
to that for a number of other breast cancer risk factors.
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