General Information on Divigel
Divigel is used to treat symptoms of menopause like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, vaginal irritation, and burning. The active ingredient in this drug, estradiol, is a form of estrogen. The generic name of Divigel is Estradiol Topical. As the generic name suggests, Estradiol Topical is meant for topical use only.
Divigel works by replacing the female sex hormone, estrogen, which is no longer produced in post-menopausal women. In addition to estradiol, this topical gel also contains the following inert ingredients: ethanol, carbomer, glycol, water, propylene, and triethanolamine.
Divigel contains 1% of estradiol (1mg estradiol in 1g), due to which the strength of this drug is listed as Divigel 1%.
Side effects of Divigel
Divigel may cause certain side effects in some patients. Prior to treatment, you should discuss the possible risks of using Estradiol Topical with your doctor. Broadly speaking, the side effects of this drug are divided in two categories, less serious and serious.
The common and less serious side effects of Divigel include:
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
- Changes in skin color
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Swollen breasts
- Vaginal discomfort, dryness, or pain, or reduced sex drive
- Swelling
- Dizziness, migraine, depression
Less common but serious side effects of Divigel include:
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Tenderness, swelling, or pain in the stomach
- Chest pain
- Dark-colored urine, clay colored stools, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or loss of appetite
- Breast lumps
You should not buy Divigel if you have/have had:
- Uterine, hormone-dependent, or breast cancer
- Liver disease
- A blood clotting disorder
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- A medical history of blood circulation disorders or stroke
To ensure that Estradiol Topical is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have/have had:
- Stroke or heart attack
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Unexplained or untreated vaginal bleeding
- Cancer
- Blood clots
- Asthma
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Porphyria
- Gallbladder disease
- Hepatic hemangioma
- Endometriosis
- Hypothyroidism
Divigel is listed as a pregnancy category X drug, which means it can cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Do not use Divigel if you are pregnant. The contents of this drug may enter breast milk and cause harm to a nursing child. As such, consult your doctor before using Divigel if you are breastfeeding a child.
Dosage of Divigel
Divigel is available in the form of single use packets. You can buy Divigel in 0.25 g, 0.5 g, or 1 g packets. The recommended starting dose is Divigel 0.25 g daily, administered as a single dosage. Depending on your response to treatment, your doctor may increase your dosage.
Women who still have a functional uterus should take Estradiol Topical along with progesterone, the female hormone. Post-menopausal women who have undergone a hysterectomy do not need to take progesterone along with the daily dose of Divigel.
Interactions
The drugs that can interact with Divigel include, but are not limited to:
- Antifungal drugs like itraconazole or ketoconazole
- Certain antibiotics like rifampin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin
- Warfarin
- St. John’s wort
- Ritonavir
- Phenobarbital or carbamazepine
Other drugs may also interact with Divigel. To prevent unwanted drug interactions, inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking prior to using Divigel.
