Estradiol Injection

Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone that regulates many processes in the body.

Estradiol injection is used to treat certain symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, burning, or irritation. It is also used to treat a lack of estrogen that is caused by ovarian failure or a condition called hypogonadism.

Some forms of estradiol injection are used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. Estradiol treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.

Estradiol injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use estradiol if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, if you have major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Do not use if you are pregnant.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia. Long-term use may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries.

Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using estradiol.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with estradiol and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain;

• swelling or tenderness in your stomach;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• a breast lump;

• memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior;

• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;

• high levels of calcium in your blood--nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, lack of energy; or

• increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.

Common side effects may include:

• breast pain;

• headache;

• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual periods, breakthrough bleeding;

• thinning scalp hair; or

• nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may interact with estradiol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.