Estrace

What is Estrace and what is it prescribed for? Many have fallen into the pit of wrong medication and have sometimes landed on fatal results. Learn the proper use of Estrace and the things to avoid. Experience improvement of condition by equipping yourself with medical information about Estrace.

Estradiol is the active component of Estrace. Estrace is used as treatment for menopausal symptoms such as genital dryness and itching, night sweats, hot flashes and mood changes. During menopause, female patients have less production of a hormone in their ovaries resulting to the previously mentioned discomforting symptoms. Estrace can help prevent the start of osteoporosis – a bone disease in which BMD or bone mineral density decreases. Osteoporosis makes the bones more prone to fracture. Estrace is also used as a maintenance medication for female patients suffering from hormonal imbalance. It is also a treatment for prostate cancer patients and breast cancer patients.

Before taking Estrace, a health care expert needs to examine the current and previous medical condition of the patient such as: hysterectomy, mental depression, kidney disease, heart problem, liver disease, high blood cholesterol, high level of blood lipids, high blood calcium level, endometriosis, migraine, porphyria, SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus, vaginal bleeding, asthma, blood vessel disease, history of stroke, blood clotting problems, allergies to food and drugs. The health care expert will also consider pregnancy, breast-feeding and smoking.

Estrace tables are more common. Other forms of Estrace are injectable, topical, transdermal and vaginal applications. Estrace tablets are absorbed by the body through the liver. In this stage, the patient may feel undesirable side effects as the drug is metabolized. When taking Estrace tablet make sure to follow instructions made by a health care expert. Take a tablet whole and not crushed. Follow up with a filled glass of water. One may take Estrace with or without food. One can also drink milk instead of water. Be prompt in dosing. Never increase or decrease dosing unless the health care expert tells so.

If patient missed a dose, catch up dose the soonest time it is remembered. One can skip a missed dose if it is nearly time for the next. However, do not double Estrace dosage.

Estrace has plenty of drug interactions. So be informed as much as possible of these interactions. Take note of the patient is taking the following: exemestane, dantrolene, cimitidine, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, clofibrate, ascorbic acid, antiobiotics, HIV medications, anastrozole, griseofulvin, hormonal drugs, cortisone, prednisolone, imipramine, hydrocortisone, isoniazid, letrozole, diabetes medicines, methotrexate, Phenytoin, mineral oil, raloxifene, tamoxifen, rifampin, rifapentine, rifabutin, migraine drugs, testolacotne, thyroid hormones, theophylline, topiramate, tricylcic antidrepressants and warfarin.

Even with ordinary food preparation, certain interaction may occur such as drinking grapefruit juice. Also inform health care expert about other non-prescribed medicines that are taken. One also needs to consider alcohol intake, caffeine and smoking.

Side effects of Estrace range from mild to serious. A health care expert should orient the patient of the following common Estrace side effects: mood swings, depression, anger, emotional instability, anxiety, skin irritation, change in appetite, mild stomach trouble, change in sexual urge, brownish facial spotting, tiredness, vaginal yeast infection and weight increase.

Side effects that need immediate medial attention include: chest pain, abnormal milk discharge, enlarged breast, breast tenderness, groin pain, vomiting and nausea, severe headache, stomach pain, sudden breathing difficulty, fast gaining of weight, speech trouble and vision changes, yellowish discoloration of the skin and the eyes.

It is advisable for the patient to engage on a regular check up with a health care expert. This will help monitor the progress of his or her condition. The check up will also examine the breast and pelvic condition. One will also need to undergo Pap smear session while taking this Estrace. Remember then that this medication is a hand-in-hand process with a health care expert, the drugs and yourself. So keep a healthy lifestyle and disposition.