Compare estradiol / norethindrone vs. Prefest

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

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Relieves menopause symptoms and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

Activella (estradiol / norethindrone) helps relieve menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss. There can be many side effects, so it's important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and potential hassles of this drug before using it.

Relieves menopause symptoms and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate) is effective at treating symptoms related to menopause and bone loss. It has a difficult dosing schedule to follow, but doesn't affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels as much as other estrogen products.

Upsides
  • Replaces estrogen in your entire body and relieves multiple symptoms of menopause.
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy.
  • Improves mood, energy, and mental alertness for some people.
  • Generic available, so cost is usually lower.
  • Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate) replenishes estrogen to your whole body and relieves multiple symptoms due to low estrogen (hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness).
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy. Make sure you also get enough calcium and Vitamin D.
  • Improves mood, energy, and mental alertness for some people.
  • Good for women with an intact uterus. The norgestimate (a progestin) protects against the risk of cancer in the uterus caused by estrogen treatment.
  • Doesn't affect your cholesterol levels as much as other estrogen treatments.
Downsides
  • More potential side effects since Activella (estradiol / norethindrone) exposes your whole body to two hormones.
  • Raises your risk of developing a stroke and blood clots.
  • You may get irregular bleeding and spotting that can last a few months to a year.
  • Should only use if you still have a uterus.
  • More potential side effects since it exposes your whole body to two hormones, estrogen and norgestimate (a progestin).
  • Dosing schedule can be hard to follow with the 2 different kind of pills (estrogen-only and estrogen/progestin pills).
  • Increases your risk of developing blood clots and stroke.
  • You may get irregular bleeding and spotting that can last a few months to a year.
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Used for
  • Hot flashes
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$42.85
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Lowest price
$149.70
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Reviews
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Side effects
10possible side effects
  • Breast pain
    21%
  • Headache
    17%
  • Nausea
    10%
  • Upper airway infection
    10%
  • Post-menopausal bleeding
    10%
  • Sinus infection
    7%
  • Ovarian cyst
    7%
  • Back pain
    3%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    3%
  • Accidental injury
    3%
See more detailed side effects
22possible side effects
  • Headache
    23%
  • Upper respiratory-tract infection
    21%
  • Breast pain
    16%
  • Back pain
    12%
  • Abdominal pain
    12%
  • Influenza-like symptoms
    11%
  • Arthralgia
    9%
  • Vaginal bleeding (all)
    9%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    8%
  • Sinusitis
    8%
  • Vaginitis
    7%
  • Pharyngitis
    7%
  • Fatigue
    6%
  • Pain
    6%
  • Nausea
    6%
  • Viral infection
    6%
  • Flatulence
    5%
  • Tooth disorder
    5%
  • Myalgia
    5%
  • Dizziness
    5%
  • Depression
    5%
  • Coughing
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than 1 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
    • High blood pressure
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • High cholesterol
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Dementia
    • Age 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • History of high 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
    • Duration of use
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Harm to fetus
    • Women of childbearing age
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
  • Ovarian cancer
    • Family history of ovarian cancer
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Activella (estradiol / norethindrone)
Learn more about Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate)