What is a Vivelle Dot?
Estradiol, also known as estrogen in females and produced by the ovaries, is a type of trogen. Oestrogen plays a role in many bodily processes.
Vivelle Dots are used for treating certain symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Vivelle-Dot can also be used to treat ovarian disorders or prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.Vivelle-Dot can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Vivelle-Dot
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
If you suffer from:
- Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, spreading pain to your jaw and shoulders, nausea, or sweating.
- Increased blood pressure symptoms include: severe headache; blurred vision or pounding in the neck, ears, or head; anxiety; and a nosebleed.
- Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or headache (especially on one side), slurred or shaky speech, or problems with vision, balance, or coordination;
- Signs of a blood clot: sudden vision loss, stabbing pain in the chest, feeling short-of-breath, coughing blood, or pain or warmth on one or both legs.
- You may experience swelling or tenderness in your stomach.
- Jaundice
- Unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain
- Breast lumps;
- Memory problems, confusion, or unusual behavior.
- High levels of calcium in the blood can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, bone pain, fatigue, and increased thirst.
Vivelle-Dot can cause the following side effects:
- Back pain, headache
- Sore throat, stuffy nose, and sinus pain
- Bleeding, vaginal itching, or discharge;
- Bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting;
- Breast pain
- Redness or irritation at the site of wearing the patch;
- Hair loss on the scalp
- Fluid retention (swelling, rapid weight gain).
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.
Warnings
Estradiol should not be used if there is undiagnosed vaginal blood, liver disease, or coronary artery disease, or if you are going to have major surgery. You also shouldn't use it if a previous heart attack or stroke has occurred or if you have had cancer in the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina.Do not use this product if you are pregnant.
Estradiol can increase your risk of uterine carcinoma. Do not ignore any abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Vivelle-Dot may increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Estradiol is not recommended for preventing heart disease or stroke.
Before you take this drug
Estradiol should not be used if:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
- Liver disease
- Coronary artery disease
- A bleeding disorder;
- A history of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
Do not use estradiol while pregnant. Inform your doctor immediately if a pregnancy occurs during treatment.Estradiol increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. If you have hypertension or diabetes, you may be at greater risk.
Estradiol shouldn't be used to treat heart disease, stroke, or dementia because it can actually increase the risk.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Heart disease
- If you have liver disease or jaundice due to pregnancy or taking hormones, then it is important that you consult your doctor.
- A thyroid disorder
- Gallbladder Disease
- Kidney disease
- Asthma;
- Epilepsy
- Migraine headaches
- Lupus;
- Porphyria
- Endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
- High levels of calcium in the blood
- Hereditary Angioedema
Estradiol can increase the risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Speak to your doctor about the risk.Estradiol may slow down the production of breast milk. Inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding.
How to take Vivelle Dot?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.
The skin patch should be applied to dry, clean skin on the stomach or buttocks. The patch should be pressed firmly for 10 seconds. Each time you apply the patch, choose a different area within these areas. Use the same area of skin no more than twice in a week. Avoid skin that has been irritated or is damaged.Apply a patch of skin to your chest, but not on your breasts. Apply a skin patch only where it will not be rubbed away by clothing. For example, under elastic waistbands Do not cut skin patches.
Try sticking the patch back in place if it falls off. If the patch does not adhere well, apply a new one to a separate area of skin and wear it for the remainder of your wear time. Keep your normal patch removal schedule.To maintain your weekly or biweekly schedule, remove the patch each week and apply a fresh one.
Estradiol can increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine carcinoma. A progestin may be prescribed by your doctor to lower this risk. Any unusual vaginal bleeding should be reported immediately.You may have to temporarily stop using Vivelle Dot if you are going to be undergoing major surgery or on bed rest for a long time. You should let any doctor or surgeon that treats you know you use estradiol.
You should have your doctor check on you regularly 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 Vivelle Dot.
Store patches away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Store each patch in the pouch until ready to use.Fold the skin patch in half to make it stick together. The folded patch should be thrown away in an area where children and pets can't reach it.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You can change the patch as soon as possible if you forgot, or you can wait until your next scheduled patch replacement. Apply only one patch at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Smoking is harmful. Estradiol can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.Avoid grapefruit products, as they may cause unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit products.If you use creams, powders, or lotions to apply the patch to your skin, it might not adhere.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Taking certain drugs together can cause side effects and/or make other medications less effective.
Estradiol can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
