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Estrasorb (Estradiol Hemihydrate Topical) - Summary

 
 



BOXED WARNING

ESTROGENS INCREASE THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Close clinical surveillance of all women taking estrogen 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 the use of "natural" estrogens results in a different endometrial risk profile than synthetic estrogens at equivalent estrogenic doses.

CARDIOVASCULAR AND OTHER RISKS

Estrogens with or without progestins should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study reported increased risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli, and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women during 5 years of treatment with conjugated equine estrogens CE 0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA 2.5 mg) relative to placebo (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Clinical Studies). Other doses of conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, and other combinations of estrogens and progestins were not studied in the WHI and, in the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar. Because of these risks, estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

 

ESTRASORB SUMMARY

Rx only
Prescribing Information

Estrasorb® (estradiol topical emulsion) is designed to deliver estradiol to the blood circulation following topical application of an emulsion. Each gram of Estrasorb contains 2.5 mg of estradiol hemihydrate USP, EP, which is encapsulated using a micellar nanoparticle technology. Estrasorb is packaged in foil pouches containing 1.74 grams of drug product. Daily topical application of the contents of two foil pouches provides systemic delivery of 0.05 mg of estradiol per day.

Estrasorb is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.


See all Estrasorb indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Estrasorb (Estradiol Topical)

Muscle Function Improved By HRT
Source: Bones / Orthopedics News From Medical News Today [2013.05.02]
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly improves muscle function - down to the muscle fibre level - in postmenopausal women, a new study published in The Journal of Physiology shows. Some studies published over the last decade have led to negative publicity around HRT, a treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause, resulting in many women being reluctant to use it...

Stopping hormone therapy may have its own risks
Source: Yahoo! Health News [2013.05.01]
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) -Though long-term hormone replacement therapy has serious health risks, going off the medication may lead to a return of menopausal symptoms and increased risk for high blood pressure, according to a new study.

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Estrasorb (Estradiol Topical)

The use of oestradiol therapy in postmenopausal women after TVT-O anti-incontinence surgery. [2010.05]
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients who were treated with TVT-O procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence had a significant improvement in their urodynamic findings and their post-operative symptoms (frequency, urgency, nocturia) if they were treated post-operatively with vaginal oestradiol for 6 months compared to the non-treated group... CONCLUSION: It appears that vaginal oestradiol treatment could be offered to postmenopausal patients after a TVT-O procedure having the symptoms of frequency and urgency provided they are aware of the lack of evidence regarding long term benefit. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Estradiol in micellar nanoparticles: the efficacy and safety of a novel transdermal drug-delivery technology in the management of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms. [2006.03]
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical micellar nanoparticle estradiol emulsion (MNPEE; Estrasorb; Novavax, Inc., Malvern, PA) in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms... CONCLUSION: Once-daily application of 3.45 g of micellar nanoparticle estradiol emulsion containing 8.6 mg of estradiol was safe and effective in providing significant relief of vasomotor symptom frequency and severity in postmenopausal women.

Prediction of incident osteoporotic fractures in elderly women using the free estradiol index. [2005.02]
A decline in postmenopausal estrogen concentration accelerates postmenopausal bone loss. We have examined the predictive power of endogenous estrogen production, DXA hip bone density (BMD), and heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on incident clinical fracture in a prospective 3-year population based, randomised controlled trial of calcium supplementation...

Serum concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and estrone after multiple-dose administration of percutaneous estradiol gel in symptomatic menopausal women. [2001.04]
In two multicenter phase III efficacy studies, blood samples were obtained to evaluate the serum concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and unconjugated estrone (E1) after administration of a percutaneous gel or transdermal patch containing estradiol... However, the 0.625-g gel dose did not produce E2 levels in a range expected to be consistently therapeutic in most postmenopausal women.

Estradiol and progesterone regulate the proliferation of human breast epithelial cells. [1998.05]
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of estradiol and progesterone on the proliferation of normal human breast epithelial cells in vivo...

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Estrasorb (Estradiol Topical)

Vaginal Testosterone Cream vs ESTRING for Vaginal Dryness or Decreased Libido in Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients [Recruiting]
The purpose of this clinical research study is to determine whether the ESTRING or a special preparation of a testosterone cream inserted vaginally are safe for use in breast cancer patients. This study will also evaluate if either of these treatments can improve symptoms of vaginal dryness or decreased sexual interest that are related to your treatment for breast cancer.

Effect of Angeliq on Blood Pressure (BP) in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women [Completed]
The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of Angeliq on BP over a period of 8 weeks in postmenopausal women who may benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the relief of vasomotor symptoms and who have hypertension.

Serum Estradiol Levels In Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitors and Vaginal Estrogen [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to see if VagifemŽ 10mcg is safe for women who have had breast cancer. Vagifem is an estrogen product. It is a tiny tablet that is inserted into the vagina. It relieves vaginal dryness. Women who have had breast cancer are usually told not to take estrogen. This is because estrogen use can lead to a breast cancer recurrence or a new primary breast cancer. It is unclear if the estrogen in Vagifem is only absorbed in the vagina. It may be absorbed into the blood stream for a short time and may cause a brief rise in your estrogen level. However, there is no clear evidence that this would cause any bad effects in patients with breast cancer. How much, if any, of these topical estrogens are absorbed through the vagina is not known. We also do not know what the impact is of low dose estrogen absorption on breast cancer outcomes. Also, the absorption should decrease as the mucus membranes are restored after estrogen exposure.

Effect of Estradiol+Drospirenone Versus Estradiol+MPA on Endothelial Function [Recruiting]
This study compares the effects of two common hormone medications on the heart and blood vessels of healthy post-menopausal women over the age of 45.

The study will take place over the course of about 5 months. Each subject will take two different medications over two six-week periods. They will be randomized at the beginning of the study to either estradiol+medroxyprogesterone acetate or estradiol+drospirenone for the first period, and will receive the other medication the second six-weeks of the study. At the very beginning of the study and at the end of each six-week treatment period, subjects will come to the hospital various tests including non-invasive blood vessel imaging tests, blood draws to test the levels of certain hormones in the body, an oral glucose tolerance test, a test to monitor renal blood flow, and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. Between treatment periods, there will be a four-week medication-free washout period.

Evaluation of Adhesion Quality of a New Formulation of the Mylan Estradiol Transdermal System 0.025 mg/Day and ClimaraŽ Transdermal System 0.025 mg/Day [Completed]
The primary objective of this study was to compare the adhesive quality of a new formulation of the Mylan Estradiol Transdermal System with that of ClimaraŽ Transdermal System following a single system application in 80 healthy postmenopausal female volunteers. As a secondary objective, primary dermal irritation was assessed after removal of each transdermal system.

more trials >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 2 ratings/reviews, Estrasorb has an overall score of 10. The effectiveness score is 10 and the side effect score is 10. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
 

Estrasorb review by 55 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   menopausal hot flashes
Dosage & duration:   2.5 mg 2 times/day taken 2 per day for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Hot flashes were totally diminished.
Side effects:   None so far that I am aware of.
Comments:   This product is a bio-identical cream rubbed onto the skin, containing 2.5 grams estradiol per package. I was reluctant to take estrogen orally and this was a viable alternative. The cream is rubbed into the thigh morning and evening for about 3 minutes. Sunscreen is to be avoided in the area where the cream is applied since it can affect/prevent effective absorption.

 

Estrasorb review by 42 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   menopause
Dosage & duration:   3.5 grams daily (dosage frequency: daily) for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   completely changed my way of life... within days, could tell a difference... no longer suffer from night sweats or hot flashes at all, the best thing i have ever tried.. this is a topical lotion that comes in individual packets that are 1.74 grams each (daily dosage is 2 packets)
Side effects:   none
Comments:   use 2 packets daily, rubs into skin like a lotion..

See all Estrasorb reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2013-05-02

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