Compare Vivelle-Dot vs. estradiol / norethindrone
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relieves menopausal symptoms.
Vivelle-Dot (Estradiol patch) is an estrogen patch that may be easier and more convenient to use than the pill or gel form.
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.
Upsides
- Good choice if you want to avoid daily dosing of the pill or gel form.
- Available in wider variety of strengths compared to other estrogen patches.
- 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.
Downsides
- Other estrogen patches are dosed once weekly and may be more convenient than Vivelle-Dot (Estradiol patch).
- Patches can fall off.
- Estrogen therapy is associated with serious risks for uterine cancer, breast cancer, and blood clots. Don't start treatment until you have had a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- 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.
Used for
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
- Low estrogen
- Prevention of osteoporosis in menopausal women
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
- Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Dosage forms
- Patch
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$14.21
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$21.32
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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%
- Nasal congestion5%
- Joint pain4%
- Depression3%
- Constipation2%
- Flu-like symptoms2%
- Sinus headache2%
- Anxiety2%
- Trouble sleeping2%
10possible side effects
- Breast pain21%
- Headache17%
- Nausea10%
- Upper airway infection10%
- Post-menopausal bleeding10%
- Sinus infection7%
- Ovarian cyst7%
- Back pain3%
- Difficulty sleeping3%
- Accidental injury3%
Risks and risk factors
- Uterine 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
- 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