Compare Minivelle vs. Estrace
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relieves menopause symptoms.
The Minivelle (estradiol patch) is the mini-me of estrogen patches. It's used twice a week, available in five strengths, and has the least amount of skin irritation.
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4.2/ 5 average rating with 17 reviewsforMinivelle
Relieves hot flashes and vaginal symptoms related to menopause.
Estrace (Estradiol) treats symptoms of menopause, but causes more of side effects than other medicines like it.
Upsides
- Minivelle (estradiol patch) is the smallest estrogen patch available. It's the size a dime and comes in 5 different strengths.
- Causes little or no skin irritation and doesn't leave much adhesive on your skin.
- Minivelle (estradiol patch) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves many symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
- 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.
- Estrace (Estradiol) comes as a pill and is much easier to use compared to the cream form.
- Available as a cheaper, generic version.
- Usually you only need to take DRUG NAME for a short amount of time.
Downsides
- You need to replace Minivelle (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.
- Associated with a higher risk for side effects like blood clots, stroke, and cancer compared to its cream formulation.
- DRUG_ NAME can increase the risk of memory loss for women age 65 or older.
- Your doctor might frequently change your dose of the medicine in the beginning until your symptoms are well-controlled.
- Not recommended for women who need treatment only for vaginal dryness and itching.
Used for
- Hot flashes
- Prevention of bone thinning in postmenopausal women
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
- Low estrogen
- Primary ovarian failure
- Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Metastatic breast cancer
- Advanced prostate cancer
Dosage forms
- Patch
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$28.86
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$28.86
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Reviews
17 reviews so far
82%
saidit'sworth it
76%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Minivelle (estradiol patch)?
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Side effects
20possible side effects
- Headache26%
- Breast pain13%
- Back pain11%
- Menstrual bleeding11%
- Influenza8%
- Common cold8%
- Nausea5%
- Pain5%
- Sinus infection5%
- Lung infection5%
- Neck pain5%
- Limb pain5%
- Sinus congestion5%
- Joint pain4%
- Depression3%
- Constipation2%
- Flu-like symptoms2%
- Sinus headache2%
- Anxiety2%
- Trouble sleeping2%
The Estrace (Estradiol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
- 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
- Inflammation of pancreas
- High levels of triglycerides