Compare Climara vs. Alora

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Climara (estradiol patch)

Prescription only

Alora (estradiol patch)

Prescription only
Treats low estrogen, relieves menopause symptoms, and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

Climara (estradiol patch) is a treatment for low estrogen that is used only once weekly, and it may have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills.

Relieves hot flashes and vaginal dryness due to menopause and strengthens your bones.

Alora (estradiol patch) treats symptoms from low estrogen, and it may have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills.

Upsides
  • Climara (estradiol patch) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves many symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
  • The patch is good for people who don't want to or can't take daily pills.
  • Climara (estradiol patch) is available as a generic product, which lowers the cost.
  • By using a patch instead of a pill, there's a lower risk of side effects such as blood clots and stroke since lower amounts of estrogen are used in patches.
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy.
  • Alora (estradiol patch) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves many symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
  • The patch is good for people who don't want to or can't take daily pills.
  • Can be worn while swimming, bathing, and showering.
  • By using a patch instead of a pill, there's a lower risk of side effects such as blood clots and stroke since lower amounts of estrogen are used in patches.
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy.
Downsides
  • The patch can fall off, especially if you like to regularly swim, take baths or use saunas or steamrooms.
  • Increases your risk of uterine and breast cancer.
  • If you have your uterus, you have to use the Climara (estradiol patch) with another hormone called progestin to lower your risk of uterine cancer.
  • Can worsen other health conditions, like high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes, fluid retention, underactive thyroid and migraines.
  • If you're only having vaginal dryness or inflammation and not hot flashes, it's better to use creams that you can apply to the affected area instead of Climara (estradiol patch).
  • You need to replace Alora (estradiol patch) twice a week, compared to other patches that are once a week.
  • Patches can fall off.
  • Increases your risk of uterine and breast cancer.
  • Increases your risk of developing blood clots and stroke.
  • Can worsen other health conditions, like high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes, fluid retention, and migraines.
  • Can't be used in people with liver problems.
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Used for
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Low estrogen
  • Ovarian failure
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
  • Treats hot flashes, night sweats and flushing in women in menopause
  • Treats vaginal changes in women in menopause
  • Treats low estrogen in women
  • Prevents bone thinning in women in menopause
  • Gender confirmation for transgender women
Dosage forms
  • Patch
  • Patch
Price
Lowest price
$36.57
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Lowest price
$36.57
Find instant savings near you
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Reviews
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Side effects
16possible side effects
  • Breast pain
    28%
  • Lung infection
    17%
  • Stomach pain
    16%
  • Headache
    13%
  • Pain
    11%
  • Swelling of arms and legs
    10%
  • Back pain
    9%
  • Depression
    8%
  • Gas
    7%
  • White or yellow vaginal discharge
    7%
  • Sore throat
    7%
  • Nausea
    6%
  • Stuffy nose
    6%
  • Joint pain
    5%
  • Sinus infection
    5%
  • Itchiness
    3%
See more detailed side effects
31possible side effects
  • Vaginal bleeding
    33%
  • Headache
    21%
  • Lung infection
    16%
  • Pain
    9%
  • Sinus infection
    8%
  • Vaginal inflammation
    8%
  • Breast pain
    7%
  • Back pain
    6%
  • Skin irritation
    6%
  • Accidental injury
    5%
  • Gas
    5%
  • Trouble sleeping
    5%
  • Itchiness
    5%
  • Nausea
    4%
  • Flu like symptoms
    3%
  • Stomach pain
    3%
  • Diarrhea
    3%
  • Depression
    3%
  • Airway inflammation
    3%
  • Cough
    3%
  • Rash
    3%
  • Weakness
    2%
  • Constipation
    2%
  • Swelling of arms and legs
    2%
  • Muscle aches
    2%
  • Anxiety
    2%
  • Sore throat
    2%
  • Breast growth
    2%
  • Bladder infection
    2%
  • White or yellow vaginal discharge
    2%
  • Breast tumor
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Breast cancer
    • Personal or family history of breast cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Increased risk of heart disease
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • High blood pressure
    • High blood sugar
    • High cholesterol
    • Age 50 or older
  • Dementia
    • Age 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Breast cancer
    • Personal or family history of breast cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Increased risk of heart disease
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • High blood pressure
    • High blood sugar
    • High cholesterol
    • Age 50 or older
  • Dementia
    • Age 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Climara (estradiol patch)
Learn more about Alora (estradiol patch)