Vivelle (estradiol transdermal system) contains the estradiol in a multipolymeric adhesive, designed to release the hormone continuously upon application to intact skin. Vivelle is used to help reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness caused by the body making less estrogen. Vivelle may also be used by women who are not able to produce enough estrogen (for example, due to hypogonadism, primary ovarian failure) and to prevent the bone loss (osteoporosis) caused by menopause.
How Vivelle Works
A female’s reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics are largely developed by endogenous estrogens. Estradiol is the principal intracellular human estrogen, subsequently more potent than the metabolites estrone and estiol, at the receptor level. A woman’s ovarian follicle secretes 70 to 400 mcg of estradiol daily, depending on the phase of her menstrual cycle. When menopause occurs, the oestrogen is produced by a conversion of androstenedione, secreted by the adrenal cortex, to estrone by peripheral tissue. Thus estrone and estrone sulfate are the most abundant circulating estrogens in postmenopausal women.
Circulating estrogens help to modulate the secretion of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).In short, these estrogens act to reduce the elevated levels of these hormones seen in postmenopausal women and relieving them of symptoms.
How to Use Vivelle
If you want to treat symptoms in and around the vagina, consider products that are directly applied to the inside of the vagina, instead of oral, injectable, or absorbent medications. The dosage of Vivelle will largely depend on a patient’s medical condition, as well as the medicine a patient is currently taking, and their response to the treatment.
Vivelle is administered by peeling off the backing from the patch and applying it to a clean, dry area of the body as directed. Please be aware that different brands of patches are applied to different areas of the body. Proceed to press the patch in place on an area of skin that is not oily, broken, or irritated, for around 10 seconds.
The patch should be replaced twice a week, or every 3 to 4 days. When changing the pad, make sure to place it on a different area of the body. If a patch falls off, simply reapply it to a different area. If the patch does not stick completely, then apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the scheduled period. Do not wear 2 patches at the same time.
References
Drugs & Medications – vivelle-dot td. (2005-2014). Retrieved from www.webmd.com: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-17081-vivelle-dot+td.aspx?drugid=17081&drugname=vivelle-dot+td
Vivelle®. (2004, August). Retrieved from www.pharma.us.novartis.com: https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/vivelle.pdf
