People's Pharmacy

Estrace

Generic Name:estradiol

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Side Effects and Interactions

Estrace has several potential side effects, including breakthrough menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, gallbladder problems, liver tumors, depression, jaundice and high blood pressure.

Some women experience an increase in blood sugar and may go on to develop diabetes.

The skin may become more sensitive to sun, so it is wise to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing (including a hat and sunglasses) if you will be outside.

Other adverse reactions include changes in weight, fluid retention, alteration in sex drive, and change in the curvature of the cornea. This may make contact lenses inappropriate. Report any symptoms or suspected side effects to the physician promptly.

Your doctor should be notified immediately of any of the following symptoms: pain in the calf or groin, sudden shortness of breath or sharp chest pain, sudden severe headache, blurred vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, yellow skin or eyes or severe abdominal pain.

Let your doctor know if you suspect you may have become pregnant, if you feel seriously depressed, if you notice lumps in your breast, or if vaginal bleeding is abnormal.

Estrace may interfere with tests of prothrombin time and certain thyroid tests.

Estradiol may interact with prescription drugs such as theophylline and beta blocker blood pressure pills.

The activity of the anticoagulant Coumadin and that of certain antidepressants may be altered.

Alcohol can raise circulating levels of estradiol significantly. The equivalent of half a glass of wine doubled estradiol blood levels, while three glasses' worth more than tripled the effective dose of Estrace. Skin patches are also affected, though less dramatically. Blood levels of estradiol rose 40 percent after alcohol consumption.

Estradiol levels also get a boost from grapefruit. Regular consumption of grapefruit or juice has a cumulative effect that increases estradiol exposure.

Until the estrogenic activity of hops is further studied, taking this herb in combination with medicines such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy is an experiment best avoided.

In general, the herb chaste tree berry should not be combined with menopausal hormone replacement therapies.

Saw palmetto berries, which have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity, are not recommended.

Check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other medicine or herbs while taking Estrace.