Depo-Estradiol (Estradiol cypionate 5mg/ml) 5ml Vial

Depo-Estradiol general information

What is Depo-Estradiol used for?

Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to substitute for the lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries.  Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL relieves moderate to severe symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Depo-Estradiol Injection is also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture.  Depo-Estradiol Injection is used to treat estrogen deficiency due to abnormally low levels of estrogen produced by the ovaries (hypogonadism) that can result in amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual cycle) and reduced breast development and other sexual characteristics.  Oestrogen stimulates the development of female sexual characteristics, and Depo-Estradiol Injection is used as part of a transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals. 

How does Depo-Estradiol work?

Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL contains estradiol cypionate, a pro-drug of naturally occurring estradiol, which is the major and most active form of the female sex hormone estrogen and is biologically similar to the natural hormone.  Estradiol cypionate is metabolised into its active form estradiol which is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside estrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle.  Estrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism.  Estradiol cypionate in Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL accumulates in muscle and adipose (fat) tissue and is slowly released into the circulation where it has a long duration of action and replaces the lack of naturally occurring estrogens to relieve symptoms of menopause due to lack of estrogen.

What does Depo-Estradiol contain?

Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL contains the active ingredient estradiol cypionate used to replace a lack of naturally occurring estrogen. Each vial contains 5mg/mL estradiol cypionate, which is a long-acting estrogen preparation for intramuscular use by injection.  It also contains chlorobutanol anhydrous as preservative in cottonseed oil. 

Treating symptoms of menopause with Depo-Estradiol

Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL contains estradiol cypionate a long-acting pro-drug of naturally occurring estradiol, which is the major and most active form of estrogen used to treat symptoms of menopause caused by a caused by a lack of estrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause.  These include hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Depo-Estradiol Injection is also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture. 

Depo-Estradiol for transgender treatment

Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL contains estradiol cypionate in a sterile oil solution, which is a long-acting estrogen preparation for intramuscular use by injection.  Estradiol cypionate in Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL is a prodrug (or precursor) of natural human estradiol, the most active and most feminising form of the female hormone estrogen, which provides an effective means of feminisation when used for feminising hormone therapy as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals.  Estradiol cypionate in Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and also induces metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape, while at the same time overriding the effects of testosterone.   The more direct route of administration provided by injection may speed the physical change by creating a higher and more constant source of oestrogen. 

What are the side effects of Depo-Estradiol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL include breast tenderness, breast pain, abdominal pain, nausea, oedema, vaginal bleeding, headache, skin rash, itching, insomnia and depression. 

What are the health risks of Estradiol Valerate Injection?

Long-term HRT with Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.  For women with an intact uterus adding a progestogen to an oestrogen replacement regimen like Depo-Estradiol Injection for at least 10 days per cycle is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. 

When should Depo-Estradiol not be used?

You should not use Depo-Estradiol 5mg/mL if you:

• are allergic to estradiol cypionate or any ingredients in Depo-Estradiol
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen use
• have abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
•  diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Depo-Estradiol Injection may affect your glucose tolerance
• are taking other medications that may interact with Depo-Estradiol Injection, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine, barbiturates, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, antibiotics like penicillin

How should Depo-Estradiol be taken?

You should use your Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL by injecting the contents of one vial deep into the upper, outer area of the gluteal muscle, using a clean dry needle and syringe.  The usual dose is one injection every 2-4 weeks, depending on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should continue to use your Depo-Estradiol injection for as long as recommended by your doctor which may be for several months or longer.

How long should you take Depo-Estradiol?

You should continue to use your Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL for as long as recommended by your doctor which may be for several months or longer.

Missed dose of Depo-Estradiol

If you miss a dose of Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Depo-Estradiol be stored?

You should store your Depo-Estradiol Injection 5mg/mL below 25°C in a cool dry place.