Menopausal Women

Women say size does matter: world's tiniest oestrogen patch now available

Up to 1.1 million menopausal women are set to benefit from the world's tiniest and most advanced oestrogen replacement patch, according to national research released today.

Estradot® (17beta-oestradiol) - the next generation in matrix patch technology offering low dose, naturally-derived, pill-free oestrogen replacement to those women seeking short-term relief of menopausal symptoms - is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

According to Sydney-based Gynaecological Endocrinologist and leading menopause researcher, Dr Barry Wren: "Estradot has many positive attributes."

"This tiny, translucent patch - which ranges in size from a thumbnail up to a postage stamp - contains an oestrogen derived from the soya plant. This oestrogen, called 17beta-oestradiol, is identical to what a woman naturally produces in her own body before going through the menopause.

"The oestrogen in this tiny patch is also very low dose," said Dr Wren. "It delivers around one-tenth of the oral dose of oestrogen (compared to pills) to achieve the same effect."

The regular, consistent and sustained levels of 17beta-oestradiol in Estradot provide continuous relief of menopausal symptoms.

Dr Wren explains: "Unlike oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, Estradot delivers much lower doses of 17beta-oestradiol through the skin and directly into the bloodstream, effectively bypassing the liver.

"Steady delivery ensures the tiny patch provides constant plasma levels, avoiding the peaks and troughs associated with oral HRT," he said.

Estradot also has excellent adhesion, is well-tolerated, and its thin, soft and flexible design makes it discreet and comfortable to wear.

According to the national Galaxy* research revealing Australian women's understanding of, and attitude towards menopause and HRT, of the estimated 1.1 million women suffering menopausal symptoms, 90% are not taking appropriate medication to control their symptoms.

The research shows that among those women surveyed aged 45-59 years, six in 10 are suffering menopausal symptoms. The most common symptoms experienced include hot flushes, disturbed sleep, night sweats and mood swings, with 85% of women claiming their symptoms are adversely affecting their life.

When asked what form of HRT they would prefer to use if given the option, 75% of women currently using HRT said they would prefer a patch, while only 17% said they would prefer the more traditional pill formulation.

The research further suggests that two-thirds of women aged 45-59 years would be likely to ask their doctor about the 'tiny patch' if they suffered menopausal symptoms.

The most popular feature of the tiny patch is that it is naturally-derived from the soya plant and is low dose.

The Galaxy research also shows that there is still much confusion within the community about the use of HRT.

Sydney-based women's health expert, Dr Terri Foran says: "The results from previous HRT studies were very alarming for women but were perhaps not clearly explained at the time they were published. For instance, it has never been shown that using HRT for less than four years increases a woman's risk of breast cancer."

"There has also been a move towards using lower dosages. Not only does this mean less side-effects for the patient, but it may also reduce the risk of more serious problems like heart attack and stroke," Dr Foran said.

"Methods like patches which deliver the hormone through the skin rather than through the gut and liver allow for lower and more constant hormone levels."

The Galaxy research shows that around 122,000 women stopped taking HRT medication following the release of the HRT study results in 2002.

Dr Foran explains: "A lot of women initially stopped taking HRT without consulting their doctor, only to discover that their symptoms returned with a vengeance. Some returned to their doctor for individual assessment of their medical history, a physical examination and discussion of the pros and cons of HRT. But many others simply believed that it was something they had to put up with."

"These studies have taught us to assess each individual patient on her own needs and preferences and we now advocate the use of HRT at the lowest possible dose and only while the benefits outweigh the risks," she said.

The suggested starting dose is Estradot 50 [releasing 50 micrograms of oestradiol per day], providing the doctor with the option to adjust the dose up or down according to the individual patient's needs.

The Estradot range provides a flexible and convenient, twice-weekly (every 3 to 4 days) application with five dosage strengths - 25, 37.5, 50, 75 and 100 [releasing, 25, 37.5, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms of oestradiol per day].

"The tiny patch offers extremely flexible dosing, as it is available in five doses to meet individual patient requirements," said Dr Wren.

"The lowest effective dose should be used for maintenance therapy and treatment may be continued for as long as the benefits outweigh the risks," he said.

Estradot is indicated for the short-term treatment of symptoms of oestrogen deficiency due to menopause, whether natural or surgically induced. In women with an intact uterus, oestrogen should always be opposed by a progestogen to ensure secretory transformation of the endometrium at regular intervals.

The clinical safety and effectiveness of Estradot are based on data for Menorest® patches. [Estradot is similar in composition to Menorest but is a much tinier patch]. Menorest has been shown to effectively relieve menopausal symptoms, such as the severity of hot flushes and night sweats, improving overall quality of life2.

The adhesive side of Estradot should be placed on a clean, dry area of the abdomen. The site of application must be rotated with an interval of at least one week allowed between applications to a particular site3.

See the Estradot approved Product Information for further details on the application as well as the contraindications and precautions2.

Estradot has a recommended retail price of $16.14.

Estradot is produced by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia. As the world leader in HRT transdermal therapy, Novartis continues to strengthen its HRT portfolio with the introduction of innovative products designed to satisfy both doctor and patient needs.

Women can go to menopauseinfo.com.au and tinypatch.com.au to obtain further information about menopause and HRT patch treatments available.

PBS Information: Restricted Benefit: For use for postmenopausal symptoms where a trial of peri- or postmenopausal low-dose oestrogen therapy has demonstrated intolerance to oral oestrogens.

PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE PRESCRIBING.

Full Product Information (PI) accompanies this item.

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* The menopause and HRT study was conducted by Galaxy Research between February 25 to March 6, 2005. The respondents included 301 randomly selected females aged 45-59 years residing throughout Australia. The interviews were conducted by phone.

References
1. Intercontinental Marketing Services (IMS) data. September 2004.
2. Estradot Oestradiol Transdermal Patch Product Information (PI). Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia. 2004
3. Estradot Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia. 2004.