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Vagifem

Generic name: Estradiol vaginal tablets

Estradiol (Vagifem™) vaginal tablet is a vaginal insert that contains a natural estrogen female hormone. Estradiol is essential for maintaining normal female functions and is normally produced by the ovaries. After menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of this hormone. Estradiol vaginal tablets can help relieve symptoms of vaginal irritation and dryness and urinary tract irritation that occurs in some women during menopause. Generic estradiol vaginal tablets are not yet available.
This medicine contains the active ingredient estradiol (previously spelt oestradiol in the UK), which is a naturally occuring form of the main female sex hormone, oestrogen.

Vagifem Dosage

• The usual dosage is 1 tablet a day for the first 2 weeks, then 1 tablet twice weekly. Every 3 to 6 months, the doctor will see if the dosage can be reduced or discontinued.

Uses of Vagifem

• This medication is used to treat vaginal atrophy (shrinkage and dryness of tissues in the vagina) caused by menopause.
• It is used to reduce menopause symptoms.
• It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
  

Side Effects of Vagifem

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Vagifem. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain, allergic reactions, back pain, genital itching, headache, skin rash, upper respiratory infection, vaginal spotting or discharge, yeast infection.

Warnings and precautions before taking Vagifem:

• Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with a slight increase in the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood clots, gallbladder disease, excessive calcium levels, and cancer of the uterus. There is also mounting evidence that it may increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Because estrogen can affect the ability to handle blood sugar, diabetic women should use this product with caution. Be alert, too, for signs of fluid retention, which can be especially harmful for people with asthma, epilepsy, migraine, a heart condition, or a kidney disorder.
• If you have a liver condition, use Vagifem with caution and make sure your doctor is aware of the situation. Women with liver problems have difficulty processing estrogen.
• It is important to be aware that all women using HRT have an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared with women who don't use HRT.

Drug Interaction :- Vagifem contains a very small amount of hormone which should not interact with other medicines you may be using. Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other.

Overdose

An overdose from a vaginal tablet is unlikely. An oral overdose of estrogen could be expected to cause the symptoms listed below. Symptoms of estrogen overdose may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding.