Can You Cut Climara Pro Patch in Half

John Eden talks about alternatives for the Australian shortage of Oestrogen Patches.

February 20th, 2017

Oestrogen patches are one of the safest forms of HRT.  For example, they practice non have any effect on clotting risk (eg. DVT or pulmonary embolism) and then are safer than oral oestradiol for women at risk of clotting. In that location take been tremendous supply problems with oestrogen patches since late 2022 in Australia, which has caused much confusion amongst doctors, chemists and women using these patches.

Short supply of "Estradot" in Australia

The 4th generation patches are chosen "Estradot" and represent the smallest of the patches. These accept been in short supply, nevertheless, 3^rd generation patches such as Climara (used one time a calendar week) and Estraderm MX (used twice a calendar week) are withal available.

Basically, all three patches, Estradot, Climara and Estraderm, tin exist used interchangeably and all of them can be cutting.  The Climara and Estraderm are larger patches than Estradot only piece of work in a similar fashion. For example, if yous accept been prescribed Estradot 50µg patches, then Climara 50µg or Estraderm 50µg may be substituted.  Otherwise, a 100µg patch of any of the three tin be used and cut in half.  That is equivalent to a 50µg patch.

What tin can I use as an culling?

An culling transdermal therapy is Sandrena Gel, one sachet daily, which is approximately equivalent to using a 37.5µg to 50µg patch.

If your doc has prescribed an Estraderm 50µg patch, then the Climara 50µg and Estraderm 50µg can be substituted without the need for a new prescription.  This system is similar to the apply of a generic.  For example, if your GP gives yous a script for Amoxil 250mg, and then the chemist oftentimes offers you lot the selection of generic amoxycillin 250mg without the demand for a new prescription.

Estradot currently represents the best of transdermal therapy just considering of ongoing supply problems, y'all may demand to use Estraderm or Climara patches for the foreseeable future.  Otherwise, Sandrena Gel is an alternative.

In summary

Estradot currently represents the best of transdermal therapy but considering of ongoing supply problems, you may need to utilize Estraderm or Climara patches for the foreseeable future.  Otherwise, Sandrena Gel is an alternative.

SANDRENA GEL

What is Sandrena Gel?

Sandrena Gel (transdermal oestradiol gel) gives like results to using an oestrogen patch at a dose of 37.5µg to 50µg daily.  Both forms of oestrogen applied to the skin have no effect on your clotting system and for many women it is preferable to taking information technology by oral fissure.

How practice I Use Sandrena Gel?

The bundle insert that comes with Sandrena Gel suggests that the product should be spread over the thigh or the abdomen.  Unfortunately, this is not very practical as the alcohol-based gel takes 30 minutes to dry.  In Europe, especially in France, transdermal gels are used extensively and most of the French women, for case, apply the gel to their forearm.

In A/Prof John Eden's opinion, this is the all-time place to apply Sandrena Gel.  The sachet is opened and the contents are and then squeezed onto the inner aspect of the forearm (where the skin is thinner).  The gel is then spread (rather than rubbed) all over the inner aspect of the forearm.  Information technology takes 20-30 minutes for the gel to evaporate and dry leaving the oestradiol hormone in the skin.  The gel needs to be applied once daily.  If used with Prometrium, it is suggested that both products are used at nighttime, equally there is some evidence that Prometrium has a sleep stabilising effect. Once Sandrena Gel has been applied daily for nigh a month, then the event tin exist assessed.

What if I am still having hot flushes later ane month?

If flushes are still occurring, then the therapy can be "intensified" by making the area on the forearm smaller.

Some women who see John will squeeze about half the contents of the sachet onto an expanse equivalent to half of the forearm (information technology is suggested that the sachet is then sealed with a paper prune or peg so that the remnant gel does non evaporate).  The half sachet of gel is then spread over half a forearm and about x-15 minutes is allowed to go by so that the area becomes "tacky".  So the rest of the contents of the gel can exist applied over the top of the original gel, thus doubling the concentration of oestradiol in that expanse of forearm.

In summary, to intensify the outcome, two halves of gel are applied to the aforementioned surface area.

For more than information see our Health Information department

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Source: https://www.whria.com.au/oestrogen-shortage/

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