Minivelle
(estradiol patch)
Relieves menopause symptoms.
Our bottom line
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.
- Price before coupon$87.76
- Lowest price with coupon$33.9661% savings
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
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.
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What to expect from Minivelle, on one page
Download Fact Sheet
17Downsides
- 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.
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What to expect from Minivelle, on one page
Download Fact SheetMinivelle (estradiol patch) replaces an estrogen hormone that your body loses during and after menopause. Higher levels of the hormone relieve symptoms of low estrogen, menopause, and prevent bone loss.
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
- Hot flashes
- Prevention of bone thinning in postmenopausal women
Dosage forms
- Patch
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Get free coupon
$36.57 - CostcoGet free coupon$38.24
What to expect when you take Minivelle (estradiol patch) for Postmenopausal estrogen replacement
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Sinus infection
- Back pain
- Breast pain
- Menstrual bleeding
- Nausea
Side effect rates for Minivelle (estradiol patch)
- Headache26%26%24%24%
- Breast pain13%13%
- Back pain11%11%6%6%
- Menstrual bleeding11%11%5%5%
- Influenza8%8%9%9%
- Common cold8%8%15%15%
- Nausea5%5%3%3%
- Pain5%5%5%5%
- Sinus infection5%5%10%10%
- Lung infection5%5%6%6%
- Neck pain5%5%1%1%
- Limb pain5%5%6%6%
- Sinus congestion5%5%5%5%
- Joint pain4%4%6%6%
- Depression3%3%4%4%
- Constipation2%2%3%3%
- Flu-like symptoms2%2%6%6%
- Sinus headache2%2%5%5%
- Anxiety2%2%3%3%
- Trouble sleeping2%2%6%6%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Minivelle.
People taking Minivelle felt side effect more
People taking Minivelle felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Minivelle (estradiol patch)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Using estrogen for more than one year
Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be a warning sign of uterus (endometrial) cancer, so let your doctor know if you notice any unusual bleeding. Using medicines like Minivelle (estradiol patch) for more than a year can increase your risk. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you can take with Minivelle (estradiol patch) to protect yourself from cancer if you are worried.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Minivelle (estradiol patch)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Minivelleon 3/10/2017Clean skin and then swab it with alcohol. Some patches are stickier than others; simetimes a whole box is drier than usual. Medical tape or a bandaid will keep it in place. Dry skin in winter is less sticky also. I put mine on firm not fatty areas. Get yout thyroid checked. Estrogen is a thyroid antagonist, so if you are on thyroid replacement, you will probably need to up your dose!57WomanTwo years or moreHot flashes and night sweats
- Can cause nausea, dizziness, bloating, and breast tenderness.