Divigel

What is Divigel?

Divigel is an odorless, clear gel. Estradiol, also known as estrogen, is a female hormone that regulates a number of processes in the human body.

Divigel can be used to treat some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, vaginal irritation, burning, and dryness. Divigel can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Warnings

Divigel is not suitable for pregnant women.Estradiol increases your risk for conditions which could eventually progress into uterine cancer. You should report any abnormal vaginal bleeding immediately. Divigel may increase the risk of blood clots and strokes. Estradiol is not recommended for heart disease prevention, stroke prevention, or dementia. Divigel is an estradiol topical that can be absorbed by the skin. This may cause side effects for a child who has come into contact with your skin.

Before you take this drug

Divigel should not be used if:

• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• Breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancers;
• A history of heart attack or stroke (especially in the lungs or lower body);
• Liver disease
• A bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
• If you are or could become pregnant,
• If you've ever experienced an allergic reaction after using estradiol topically,

Estradiol does not prevent heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or dementia. In fact, it may increase your chances of developing any of these conditions. Estradiol can also increase the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer. Speak to your physician about any risks you are exposed to.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Divigel will be safe for you:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Heart disease
• Asthma;
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Liver or kidney disease
• Hereditary angioedema
• Endometriosis;
• A thyroid disorder
• Lupus;
• Hypercalcemia is a condition where there are high calcium levels in the blood.
• Migraines;
• Gallbladder disease
• Risk factors for coronary heart disease include diabetes, smoking, and being overweight. Other risk factors are having a history of coronary heart disease in your family, being over 40 years old, or having had a hysterectomy.

Avoid using Divigel if you're pregnant. Prevent pregnancy by using effective birth control while you're using Divigel. Estradiol may pass through breast milk, causing harm to a nursing infant. Divigel can also reduce breast milk production. Use caution if you're breastfeeding.

Similar/related drugs

Estradiol, Premarin, Estrace, Prempro, Norethindrone, and ethinyl esteradiol

How to take Divigel?

Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Use this medication only as directed. Be careful to not exceed or use it beyond its recommended duration and dose. Estradiol increases your risk for conditions which could potentially lead to uterine cancer, so your physician may prescribe progesterone in order to lower this risk. Any unusual vaginal bleeding must be reported immediately to healthcare practitioners. Before beginning treatment with medication or supplements, please read all available information, such as guides and instructions provided. If any queries arise, seek guidance from either your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Divigel should only be applied to dry, clean skin that has not been broken. Avoid applying Divigel to skin that has been irritated or is red.
• Divigel can be applied to the upper thigh skin on either the left or right side. The surface area of the application should be approximately 5 by 7 inches. (roughly equivalent to two palm prints). Use the gel every day at the same time.
• Each day, the entire contents of one unit dose pack should be used. Divigel must be applied alternately to the upper thighs on either side of the body. This will prevent skin irritation.
• Divigel must not be used on the face, breasts, or skin that is irritated, or in the vagina or surrounding the vagina. Avoid getting the gel in your eyes.
• The gel must dry completely before dressing. After applying Divigel, the application site shouldn't be washed for at least an hour.

Divigel contains alcohol. Alcohol-based gels can ignite. Smoking, fire, or flames should be avoided until the gel is dry. After applying the gel or emulsion, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Divigel should not be applied to other people's skin. If this occurs, thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and warm water. Children should not come into contact with the skin where Divigel has been applied. Topical esteradiol can be absorbed through the skin, causing premature puberty in children who come into contact with it. You should have your doctor check on you regularly (every 3 to six months) to see if this treatment is still appropriate. You should self-examine for lumps in your breasts every month and get regular mammograms when using estradiol.

You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going to be undergoing medical tests, surgery, or bed rest. You should let any doctor or surgeon that treats you know you're using estradiol. Store Divigel away from moisture, heat, and humidity at room temperature.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Whenever possible, take any dose that was missed as soon as you realize. If this occurs, take action right away to use what remains. Skip the missed dose if you are over 12 hours late. You should not take extra medication to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Breast tenderness may also be present, as well as drowsiness or vaginal bleeding.

What should be avoided?

Avoid getting the medicine in your eye.If this occurs, use water to rinse your eyes as soon as possible.Wait at least 25 minutes after the Divigel application before applying sunscreen to the same area. The interaction between grapefruit and estradiol can have dangerous consequences. Talk to your doctor about the use of grapefruit.

Side effects of Divigel

If you experience any of the following symptoms of Divigel allergy: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using Divigel immediately and contact your doctor.

• Heart attack symptoms: pain in the chest or pressure on your chest, pain that spreads to your shoulder or jaw, nausea, and sweating.
• Signs of a Blood Clot: sudden numbness, weakness, vision loss, slurred words, stabbing pain in the chest, coughing blood, or pain or warmth on one or both legs.
• You may experience nausea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain that spreads to your back.
• Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• Memory problems, confusion, and unusual behavior
• Unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain
• A lump on your breast
• High calcium levels cause confusion, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, and increased thirst or urination.

Topical estrogen can be absorbed by a child's skin if they come into close contact with it. If a child has swollen breasts or nipples, call your doctor.

Side effects of Divigel include:

• Breast pain
• Headache;
• Vaginal discharge or itching, changes to your menstrual cycle, or light bleeding
• Hair loss on the scalp
• nausea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach cramps.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Interaction with other drug

Estradiol topical may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements. Inform your healthcare providers of all medications you are taking, including any new ones.