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Risks & Benefits of
Using the Vivelle-Dot
Estrogen Patch |
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Risks
Estrogen Therapy Risks
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report
any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal
bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart
attacks or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase
your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots.
Using estrogens may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and
thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot Should Not Be Used If You:
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Have unusual vaginal bleeding
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Currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or
uterus
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Had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year)
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Currently have or have had blood clots
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Currently have or have had liver problems
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May be pregnant
Side Effects
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache,
breast tenderness and back pain.
Benefits
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes;
treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina;
and help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones).
Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause.
If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat dryness, itching and burning in and around
your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from
menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different
treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
Additional Features of Vivelle-Dot
Estrogen Source
For women who are interested in the source of the estrogen in their therapy,
the estrogen in Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) is chemically synthesized from a plant
source. This does not mean that Vivelle-Dot is safer or more effective than
other hormone therapies.
Effective Doses
While the levels of estrogen entering the body from Vivelle-Dot appear to be
low, the levels are appropriate for treating moderate to severe menopausal
symptoms and are similar to levels achieved in a phase of your menstrual cycle.
That’s true in part because the estrogen in Vivelle-Dot passes directly through
the skin and into your bloodstream, avoiding the digestive tract and liver
metabolism.
Effective blood levels are achieved with smaller transdermal doses as compared
pills. This does not mean that Vivelle-Dot is safer or more effective than pill
therapy.
Ultra Convenience
The thin, discreet and comfortable Vivelle-Dot is applied to the lower abdomen
just twice a week. In clinical trials, the patches stayed on well and had a low
occurrence of skin irritation. The patch is designed to move when you move.
This means you can swim, bathe and enjoy an active lifestyle while wearing the
patch.
DOT Matrix™ Technology
Vivelle-Dot uses the patented DOT Matrix technology. "DOT" stands for "Delivery
Optimized Thermodynamics." These patches are specifically designed for
convenience. Even though the patch is tiny, it delivers controlled, sustained
release of estradiol over 3 ½ days.
When It Comes to Estrogen Therapy (ET), Vivelle-Dot
Delivers
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Proven relief of moderate to severe menopausal symptoms1
and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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The smallest, most discreet estrogen patch available
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Smaller total doses than pills (levels of estradiol compared to pill therapy).
This does not mean that Vivelle-Dot is safer or more effective than pill
therapy.
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Convenient dosing — twice a week
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For women interested in the source of estrogen in their therapy, the estrogen
in Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) is chemically synthesized from a plant source. This
does not mean that Vivelle-Dot is safer or more effective than other hormone
therapies.
DOT Matrix™ is a registered trademark of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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