Estrogen Patch brand comparison

I tried the Vivelle dot after my insurance company stopped covering the bioidentical cream I was using. It was okay, I did not sleep quite as well or have as much energy as I did with the bioidentcals. Then my insurance co. doubled the price of Vivelle so I tried the Climera patch so I could save some money using one patch instead of two perscriptions ( estrogen and progesterin) It is not as good as the Vivelle dot and completely inferior to bioidenticals.

I have used both. I prefer the Climera because I like only having to change my patch once a week. I also like the fact that it seems to stick better and that is important so I don't use too many patches too quickly. I mean the insurance company doesn't care if the reason I need a quick refill is because the dot kept coming off.
Good luck.

Ann wrote:

I tried the Vivelle dot after my insurance company stopped covering the bioidentical cream I was using. It was okay, I did not sleep quite as well or have as much energy as I did with the bioidentcals. Then my insurance co. doubled the price of Vivelle so I tried the Climera patch so I could save some money using one patch instead of two perscriptions ( estrogen and progesterin) It is not as good as the Vivelle dot and completely inferior to bioidenticals.

Climara patch is a bioidentical.

I started using the Estradiol patch manufactored by Mylan, which is the generic for Climara. When I remove the patch, I have a huge red mark, the same size as the patch, that stays where the patch was for a couple of weeks. Also, the skin underneath the patch starts itching shortly after I put it on. I used the Climara patch for years and never had a problem. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you find a cause or a solution?

I've been using the Estradiol patch (change weekly) since the last of my ovaries came out a little over a year ago. It causes itching, leaves a sore spot, and the sticky stuff is hard to get off. The worst problem is that it has been coming loose in the shower. I've just been trying to smash it back on and hope for the best. Also, sometimes moisture gets behind it so that by the time I change the patch there's a terrible smell underneath. Lovely! I'm currently considering a brand change and doing some research. Despite all the annoyances, the Estradiol patch has been effective though.

I noticed no difference between the Vivelle dot (0.0375 dose)and the Climara generic called estradiol. Couldn't afford the Vivelle and, frankly, didn't like the 2x weekly usage. Both leave marks on my abdomen that take forever to disappear...the climara mark is, sadly, bigger.

Ann wrote:

I tried the Vivelle dot after my insurance company stopped covering the bioidentical cream I was using. It was okay, I did not sleep quite as well or have as much energy as I did with the bioidentcals. Then my insurance co. doubled the price of Vivelle so I tried the Climera patch so I could save some money using one patch instead of two perscriptions ( estrogen and progesterin) It is not as good as the Vivelle dot and completely inferior to bioidenticals.

I find a good source about Estradiol - http://estradiols.net At this site there is a lot of useful information - dosage, side effects, description.

I love the Climara patches but they cost so much and my insurance does not cover them! The red spot disappears in 1-2 days. I tried the generic Estradiol patches and, like the rest of you, it left a huge red mark that lasted over a week. It did not stick as well and caused a lot of itching, too! I have not tried the Vivelle. Is there another brand that would be cheaper but as effective as Climara? Thanks!

Mary wrote:

I started using the Estradiol patch manufactored by Mylan, which is the generic for Climara. When I remove the patch, I have a huge red mark, the same size as the patch, that stays where the patch was for a couple of weeks. Also, the skin underneath the patch starts itching shortly after I put it on. I used the Climara patch for years and never had a problem. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you find a cause or a solution?

You are obviously allergic to the adhesive. I don't have that problem. this would be a viable reason to switch to the brand name, which presumably has different adhesive. Call your doctor. He will contact the insurance company, to allow brand name.

Mary wrote:

I started using the Estradiol patch manufactored by Mylan, which is the generic for Climara. When I remove the patch, I have a huge red mark, the same size as the patch, that stays where the patch was for a couple of weeks. Also, the skin underneath the patch starts itching shortly after I put it on. I used the Climara patch for years and never had a problem. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you find a cause or a solution?

I had the same problem. The Mylan patch is made from latex. I found out that the problem I had was an allergic reaction to latex. My insurance covered the brand name drug Climara after my doctor filled out paperwork stating I was allergic. But, now I am retired and have a different insurance company. I was paying $20 for 12 patches but now it will cost me $100. I'm trying to find an alternative and if I don't I will go without and try to bear the night sweats and hot flashes.

Mary wrote:

I started using the Estradiol patch manufactored by Mylan, which is the generic for Climara. When I remove the patch, I have a huge red mark, the same size as the patch, that stays where the patch was for a couple of weeks. Also, the skin underneath the patch starts itching shortly after I put it on. I used the Climara patch for years and never had a problem. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you find a cause or a solution?

I had the exact same problem...I could have written your post myself. I just went back to the Climara as my pharmacist said that it was a common problem with no solution that he know of.

I am currently using the Vivelle Dot patch but it cost so much that I am looking for an alternative patch. Everyone is saying the generic patch is so much bigger but hasn't said how big.

Vivelle User-I tried the generic for a week and switched to the vivelle dot (samples from doctor).

The generic I tried was made by Mylan and was about 2 inches across. One side did start to come off after a couple of days, but after pressing it back on it stayed on for the rest of the week.

Things I didn't like about it:
- hard, not flexible
- itched
- left a mark, raised red skin around the perimeter. Still there after almost a week.

Does anyone know if there are other generic manufacturers besides Mylan?

Mary wrote:

I started using the Estradiol patch manufactored by Mylan, which is the generic for Climara. When I remove the patch, I have a huge red mark, the same size as the patch, that stays where the patch was for a couple of weeks. Also, the skin underneath the patch starts itching shortly after I put it on. I used the Climara patch for years and never had a problem. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you find a cause or a solution?

I just recently started having the same exact problem that you are describing. I too am using the Mylan brand. I have also had a terrible problem with the patch coming off within a day or two of putting it on and especially when showering. I have even had a layer of skin come off and blister. Looks like I am going to be contacting Mylan again.

There is estraderm made by Norvatis. I have used it for two years. Never came undone except when it was exposed to 90 degree heat in the mailbox.

Any skin with non-breathable coverage will become irritated so redness and itchness would be understandable. Thus, twice weekly is a better choice. Change the location to prevent skin irritation.

My doc. switched to Vivelle dot this month and that is why I am visting this website. Julie posted, "not flexible, etc...." Are these discomfort from generic or Vivelle ? Norvartis estraderm has built in wrinkle, to accomodate the movement and to the curve of anatomy we attach these.

Suki,
I was referring to the generic (by Mylan). I did try it again for a few weeks to give it a good chance, but I must be allergic to the adhesive.

I am back with the Vivelle dot and have no problems. It's very thin and I don't notice it. I do check it before showering and if an edge is peeling up (very rare), I heat the area with a hair dryer and smooth the edges to make sure they're sealed. If it's originally applied to dry, non-greasy skin, there's usually no problem. BTW, the Vivelle is what my doctor herself has used for the last few years.

I was using Estraderm Dot 25 and I love it, it was small (1 cm square) but in my country Mexico the company stop to sell it. I tried Evra of Jansen-Cilag but it is very big (6 x 6 cm) pink I did not like it. I tried Evorel 50 it is biger than Estraderm but I manage cuting the parch in half to obtain the dosage.

John wrote:

I find a good source about Estradiol - http://estradiols.net At this site there is a lot of useful information - dosage, side effects, description.

Yeah don't wear any clothes take a bath or go swimming and don't sweat and it might stay on that is what I think and the company really doesn't care that they don't stay on

I called the company and let me tell you they don't care. they are over priced want stay on and it is best to not take a bath wear no clothes and not go swimming and don't sweat and it takes at least 2 weeks before the red patch goes away. But I do not want to take oral meds

The Vivelle Dot works great for me. No side effects at all. I tried Climara but it made me nauseous and made my legs ache really bad at night, with insomnia (the same thing happened when I tried Premarin). However, the Vivelle Dot was too expensive at $65-$75 for a month's supply here in the U.S., so I just started buying it from Canada instead at $30 a shot. I would suggest this to anyone who likes the Vivelle Dot. All you need to do is have your Dr's office fax and then mail the prescription to the Canadian pharmacy. I have been using www.jandrugs.com for more than a year with no problems I just buy 3 month's supply and pay the $10 shipping fee and they mail it out to me in about 2 weeks