Vagifem
and/or alternativesChemical Ingredient: Estradiol-
All
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10mcg
What is a generic medication?
Generic medications are significantly discounted copies of brand name medication that have the same active ingredients, intended use, dosage, side effects, effects, and route of administration as the original brand name medication. In other words, generic medications have the same pharmacological effects as their brand-name counterparts. Over half of all prescribed medications are for generic medications.
Vagifem 10mcg
Estradiol 10mcg
No generic is available for Vagifem 10mcg.
Vagifem 10mcg
Estradiol 10mcg
- Vaginal Tablets
- Manufactured by Novo Nordisk Ltd
- Product of Turkey • Shipped from Turkey
- Prescription Required
No generic is available for Vagifem 10mcg.
Vagifem 10mcg
Estradiol 10mcg
- Vaginal Tablets
- Manufactured by Novo Nordisk Ltd
- Product of United Kingdom • Shipped from United Kingdom
- Prescription Required
General Drug Information
What Vagifem Is and What It’s Used For
Vagifem helps to manage symptoms of menopause such as vaginal dryness and itching. It is available in the form of tablets, inserted into the vagina with the help of an applicator.
The active ingredient in this medicine is estradiol, a female sex hormone necessary to maintain healthy reproductive and sexual function. Inserting the active ingredient directly into the vagina is a more effective and safer method compared to oral and injectable methods.
Warnings
The information on this page is not a replacement for a consultation with a physician, qualified to treat this condition and prescribe medication. The information is supplied by a third party, independent from this website and only serves to raise awareness about this condition and point out basic information regarding treatment.
The website cannot take responsibility for the reliability or medical efficacy of the information provided. As mentioned above, patients should seek medical attention to ensure effective and safe treatment.
Not all products are shipped by our contracted Canadian pharmacy. The source country, shipping country or drug manufacturer may vary depending on availability.
The website also maintains commercial ties with dispensaries internationally. Products can be sourced from a number of countries. Patients should note that different items within an order can be shipped from different jurisdictions, depending on availability and cost at the time an order was placed.
Usage and Application
A treating physician will prescribe a treatment course depending on the condition and patient response. Most patients use Vagifem once a day for the first two weeks of treatment, followed by twice-weekly insertions.
Patients should use this medication exactly as directed by their physician or pharmacist in order to experience the full benefits.
Vagifem is inserted with the help of a single-use plastic applicator. To ensure precise dosing, each applicator is connected to a tablet. To use, patients need to insert the applicator in the vagina and press the plunger to release the needed dose. Applicators should be disposed of after use.
Considerations Before Taking Vagifem
Before using Vagifem, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions, as well as any pre-existing conditions such as vaginal bleeding, blood clots or blood clotting disorders, seizures, stroke or heart disease with their doctor.
Patients should mention if they have had breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, or liver or kidney disease. They should also disclose a family history of breast lumps, cancer, blood clots or angioedema – swelling of the deep dermis which affects the lips, eyes, face or other parts of the body.
Women with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, abnormal levels of calcium in their blood and lupus need to disclose this to their doctor. Conditions such as porphyria, hypoparathyroidism, fibroids, endometriosis, gallbladder disease, asthma, migraine, depression, and dementia also need to be mentioned to the treating physician.
Patients who use Vagifem should avoid smoking as it – combined with estrogen hormones in this medicine – increases the risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attack.
Having surgery or being confined to a chair for many hours (eg. a long flight) may increase the risk of blood clots, especially when combined with estrogen products such as Vagifem. Patients should discuss with their doctor whether to temporarily stop taking the medicine before surgery or long flights.
Some patients who use Vagifem may experience a skin condition called melasma. Symptoms can be evident in the form of facial pigmentation or blotchy skin. Women should avoid exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning rooms. To further protect skin, it is important to wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing at all times when outdoors.
In some cases, nearsighted patients who wear contact lenses may find it harder to wear them. Patients may also experience vision problems.
Pregnant women should not use Vagifem and should immediately speak with a doctor in the event they suspect pregnancy. This medicine passes into breast milk and can also reduce the quality and amount of milk a nursing mother can produce.
Delayed and Omitted Doses
Patients who miss a dose should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, then patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.
Other Medications and Vagifem
Vagifem can interact with a number of other substances, potentially causing serious side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to review all other prescription drugs and herbal supplements they are taking with their doctor. Starting, changing or stopping any medications should only happen with the doctor’s approval.
Vagifem interacts negatively with hormone-based medications used to treat breast cancer. These include aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. Patients who use tamoxifen (sold under the brand name Soltamox) should also be cautious.
Fulvestrant – commercially known as Faslodex – can also interact negatively with Vagifem. Patients should be aware of negative interactions with Ospemifene, which is used to treat pain during sexual intercourse, and raloxifene, prescribed to prevent bone loss. Vagifem also interacts negatively with toremifene and tranexamic acid.
This medication may also interfere with laboratory test results, changing certain readings. Patients should inform their doctor of the possibility of wrong results.
Adverse Reactions
Most women using Vagifem do not experience serious side effects. Some possible negative symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, breast tenderness, and weight changes.
Serious side effects include mood changes, memory loss, breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, vaginal irritation and discharge, stomach pain, and swelling of the hands and feet. Patients should also monitor for yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, increased thirst and urination.
In rare cases, some patients may develop blood clots, that may lead to serious problems like heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Patients need to seek immediate medical help if they experience symptoms such as pain in the chest, left arm or jaw, or develop unusual sweating, severe headache, and weakness on one side of the body.
Other serious symptoms include confusion, slurred speech and vision changes, trouble breathing, coughing up blood and sudden dizziness or fainting.
Serious allergic reactions to Vagifem are rare, yet patients should be aware of rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.
How to Store Vagifem
Vagifem should be stored away from light and moisture, and kept away from children and pets.
Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.
Vagifem Drug Information
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Vagifem Overview
Vagifem is a female hormone (estrogen). Vagifem is used by women to help reduce vaginal symptoms of menopause (such as vaginal dryness/burning/itching). These symptoms are caused by the body making less estrogen. When treating only vaginal symptoms of menopause, products applied directly inside the vagina (such as Vagifem) should be used first. Estrogens that are taken by mouth, absorbed through the skin, or injected may have greater risks of side effects due to more estrogen being absorbed.
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Vagifem Warnings
Estrogens, either used alone or with another hormone (progestin), have rarely caused very serious side effects. Discuss the risks and benefits of hormone treatment with your doctor. Estrogens should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia. Estrogens can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Taking a progestin as directed by your doctor can help decrease this risk. Tell your doctor right away if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding. In postmenopausal women, estrogens can increase the risk of cancer of the ovaries, stroke, dementia, and serious blood clots in the legs. Estrogens alone do not appear to increase the risk of breast cancer when used for up to 7 years. Estrogen, when used with a progestin, can increase the risk of heart disease (such as heart attacks), stroke, serious blood clots in the lungs/legs, dementia, and cancer of the breast/ovaries. The risk for serious side effects may depend on the dose of estrogen and the length of time Vagifem is used. Therefore, Vagifem should be used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time. Discuss the use of Vagifem with your doctor and check with him/her regularly (for example, every 3 to 6 months) to see if you still need to take Vagifem. If you will be taking Vagifem long-term, you should have regular complete physical exams (for example, once a year) as directed by your doctor. See also Notes section.
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How to Use Vagifem
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using Vagifem and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use Vagifem as directed by your doctor, usually once daily for the first 2 weeks, and then 2 times a week thereafter. The applicator comes packaged with the tablet inside. If the tablet falls out before using, throw it away and use a new applicator/tablet. Gently insert the applicator into the vagina as directed and press the plunger to release the medication. Throw away the applicator after use. The Dosage of Vagifem is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use Vagifem regularly to get the most benefit from it. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Do not increase your dose or use Vagifem more often or for a longer time than directed. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
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Vagifem Precautions
Before using estradiol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Vagifem, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, certain cancers (such as breast cancer, cancer of the uterus/ovaries), blood clots, stroke, heart disease (such as heart attack), liver disease, kidney disease, family medical history (especially breast lumps, cancer, blood clots), family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder (angioedema), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels, obesity, lupus, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), mineral imbalance (low or high level of calcium in the blood), a certain hormone problem (hypoparathyroidism), uterus problems (such as fibroids, endometriosis), gallbladder disease, asthma, seizures, migraine headaches, mental/mood disorders (such as dementia, depression), a certain blood disorder (porphyria). Do not smoke or use tobacco. Estrogens combined with smoking further increases your risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attack, especially in women older than 35. Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery, or if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using an estrogen product. You may need to stop Vagifem for a time or take special precautions. Vagifem may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. Vagifem must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Vagifem passes into breast milk. It may reduce the quality and amount of breast milk produced. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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Vagifem Misdose
If you miss a dose of Vagifem, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
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Vagifem Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole), fulvestrant, ospemifene, raloxifene, tamoxifen, toremifene, tranexamic acid. Vagifem may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Vagifem.
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Vagifem Side Effects
Nausea/vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, breast tenderness, headache, or weight changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed Vagifem because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Vagifem do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,mental/mood changes (such as depression, memory loss), breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged/recurrent bleeding), increased or new vaginal irritation/itching/odor/discharge, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, swelling hands/ankles/feet, increased thirst/urination. Vagifem may rarely cause serious problems from blood clots (such as heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism). Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects,chest/jaw/left arm pain, unusual sweating, sudden/severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, sudden vision changes (such as partial/complete blindness), pain/redness/swelling of legs, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting. A very serious allergic reaction to is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
List of Vagifem side effects -
Vagifem Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not refrigerate. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All medical content is supplied by a third party company who is independent from this web site. As such, this web site can not guarantee the reliability, accuracy, and /or medical efficacy of the information provided. In all circumstances, you should seek the advice of a health professional pertaining to drug, treatment and/or medical condition advice. Note that not all products are shipped by our contracted Canadian pharmacy. This website contracts with dispensaries around the world that ship products directly to our customers. Some of the jurisdiction include but are not limited to United Kingdom, Europe, Turkey, India, Canada, Vanuatu, Mauritius, and USA. The items within your order may be shipped from any one of these jurisdiction depending on the availability and cost of the products at the time you place your order. The products are sourced from these countries as well as others. Please note that the product appearance may vary from actual product received depending on availability.