Estalis Patches (Estradiol/Norethindrone) is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Menopause can cause hot flashes, sleeping difficulties, painful sexual intercourse, or moodiness and irritability. Estalis Patches are also used to treat changes like vaginal dryness, itching, and burning around the vagina caused by low estrogen levels. Estalis Patches are also used to treat certain conditions in women before menopause if their ovaries do not make enough estrogen naturally. The active ingredients in Estalis Patches are Estradiol and Norethindrone. Estradiol belongs to a class of drugs called estrogen hormone. Norethindrone belongs to a class of drugs called progestin hormone. These hormones work by preventing symptoms such as feelings of warmth in the face, neck, or chest or sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating (hot flashes) in women during menopause.
Manufacturer Information
We currently offer the brand Estalis from Canada manufactured by Novartis in the strength of 0.05 mg/0.14 mg and 0.05 mg/0.25 mg patches. The generic Estradiol/Norethindrone is not available.
Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while using Estalis. The most common side effects of Estalis may include the following:
• Abdominal pain;
• Acne;
• Change in sex drive;
• Hair loss;
• Increased vaginal secretions
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Breast lumps;
• Flu-like symptoms;
• Itchy rash;
• Mood changes;
• Nipple discharge
These are not all the side effects of Estalis. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
You should not use Estalis if you are allergic to Estradiol, Norethindrone or any ingredient in Estalis. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant;
• Have a blood clotting disorder;
• Have had a stroke or heart attack;
• Have liver problems;
• Have migraines with aura;
• Have unusual vaginal bleeding;
• Have vision problems
Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Estalis and anastrozole, ketoconazole, carbamazepine, cobicistat, dexamethasone, metformin, heparin, etc. Avoid atazanavir, modafinil, mifepristone, primidone, phenytoin, or rifampin with Estalis Patches. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if this medication will harm a fetus. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Estrogen and progestin pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Use Estalis precisely as prescribed by your doctor. If you store Estalis in a refrigerator, allow them to reach room temperature before applying it to the skin. Apply the patch to the lower abdomen, below the waistline. Avoid the waistline. Clothing may cause the patch to rub off. Wear Estalis continuously until it is time to replace the new patch. Replace the patch twice weekly, every 3 to 4 days. Apply your new patch to a different skin area in the lower abdomen. Do not apply a new patch to that same area for at least one week. If your patch falls off when bathing, swimming, or exercising, shake off the water and reapply the same patch on a different skin area. If the patch does not stick completely, use a new patch. Estalis is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Store in a refrigerator (20C – 80C).