People's Pharmacy

Estrace

Generic Name:estradiol

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Special Precautions

Pregnant women should not take Estrace, as it could have a negative effect on the fetus.

Women with a history of breast cancer or other malignant disease responsive to estrogen are generally advised to avoid this hormone.

Blood clotting disorders such as thrombophlebitis are also a reason to be wary of Estrace.

Prolonged use of postmenopausal estrogen has been controversial because of questions about cancer. Endometrial carcinoma or cancer of the uterine lining is more of a risk for women exposed to estrogen. This adverse reaction may be counteracted by simultaneous administration of progestins.

Vaginal bleeding could be an early warning sign of cancer and requires immediate medical attention.

Long-term use of postmenopausal estrogen protects against heart disease, but it increases the risk of breast cancer by approximately 40 percent, according to data from the Nurses' Health Study.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer will want to discuss this issue with their doctor and may want to delay use of Estrace until later in life when heart disease becomes a more urgent threat.