Ethinyloestradiol

Ethinyloestradiol general information

What is Ethinyloestradiol used for?

Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg are a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to substitute for a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries, such as during the menopause, and relieves symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy. Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg are also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture. Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg are also used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in the treatment of prostatic cancer. Ethinyloestradiol tablets stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, and are used as part of transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals.

How does Ethinyloestradiol work?

Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg contain ethinyloestradiol, which is a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen that is chemically and biologically identical to endogenous human oestradiol, which is the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism. The anti-cancer action of ethinyloestradiol in the treatment of prostatic cancer is based on its inhibition of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase in epididymal tissue of the prostate gland, which lowers testosterone levels and may delay progression of prostatic cancer.

What does Ethinyloestradiol contain?

Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg contain the active ingredient ethinyloestradiol, which is a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen, used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
They also contain lactose, starch maize, magnesium stearate

Treating symptoms of menopause with with Ethinyloestradiol

Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg are used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to substitute for the lack of oestrogen produced by the ovaries. As menopause approaches, oestrogen production by the ovaries begins to slow down and then cease altogether, which causes a wide range of moderate to severe symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration, loss of energy and bone loss (osteoporosis). HRT using Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg can help relieve these symptoms.

Ethinyloestradiol for feminising hormone therapy

Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg contain ethinyloestradiol, which is a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen that is chemically and biologically identical to endogenous human oestradiol, which is the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen. Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg can be used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals, by providing a source of oestrogen needed to stimulate the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development; and also induce metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape.

What are the side effects of Ethinyloestradiol?

The most common side effects reported when using Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg include: nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps, breast pain tenderness or swelling, headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling, red patches on the skin, darkening of facial skin, changes in weight or appetite, mood changes (elation or depression).

When should Ethinyloestradiol not be used?

You should not use Ethinyloestradiol if you:

• are allergic to it or any of the ingredients in Ethinyloestradiol tablets
• are pregnant or think you are pregnant or you are breast-feeding
• have (now or in the past) cancer of the breast or uterus or any other oestrogen dependent cancer
• have (now or in the past) painful inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis) or blockage of a blood vessel in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• heart disease, stroke, liver disease or severe uncontrolled high blood pressure
• abnormal unexplained genital bleeding or problems with your breasts
• are taking other medications that may interact with Ethinyloestradiol, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz, thyroid replacement therapy, anticoagulants like warfarin, preparations containing St John's Wort.

What are the health risks of Ethinyloestradiol?

Long-term HRT with Oestrogel does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis. For women with an intact uterus adding a progestogen to an oestrogen replacement regimen like Ethinyloestradiol is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

How should Ethinyloestradiol be taken?

You should take Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg with a glass of water with or without food. The dose (number of tablets) and how often you take them should be as recommended by your doctor. If you are taking Ethinyloestradiol tablets for HRT, you will usually take them on a cyclical basis (3 weeks on and 1 week off). If you are being treated for prostatic cancer or and breast cancer your will be given a higher dose of Ethinyloestradiol.

How long should you take Ethinyloestradiol?

The dose (number of tablets) and how often you take them will depend on what you are being treated for and should be as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Ethinyloestradiol

If you miss a dose of Ethinyloestradiol take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Ethinyloestradiol be stored?

You store Ethinyloestradiol tablets 10mcg at room temperature below 25°C and keep away from direct sunlight.