INN monograph
Oestradiol
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Selected breast cancer
- estrogen dependent neoplasia
- undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
- history of thrombophlebitis
- thrombo-embolic disorders
- pregnancy
- severe hepatic /renal /CVS impairment
- porphyria.
Precautions
- Physical/history examination before initiating oestrogen therapy should be done
- fluid retention
- women with narrow vagina
- uterovaginal prolapse
- treatment unresponsive infection
- Cushing syndrome
- BP monitor
- 4 weeks before surgery
- history of endometriosis
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
For treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, vulval and vaginal atrophy associated with the menopause: the lowest dose that will control symptoms should be selected. Attempts to discontinue or taper medication should be made at 3-month to 6-month intervals. The usual initial dosage is 1 - 2 mg daily. Administration should be cyclic [e.g. 4 weeks on and 1 week off]. For treatment of female hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure: Treatment is initiated with a dose of 1 - 2 mg daily. For treatment of breast cancer, for palliation only, in appropriately selected women and men with metastatic disease: 10 mg TID for at least three months. For treatment of advanced androgen-dependent carcinoma of the prostate, for palliation only: 1-2 mg TID. The effectiveness of therapy can be judged by phosphatase determinations as well as by symptomatic improvement of the patient.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Changes in menstrual flow
- break through bleeding
- dysmenorrhoea
- amenorrhoea during and after treatment
- GI disturbances
- allergic reactions
- visual disturbances
- mental depression
- convulsion
- fluid retention
- aggravation of existing hypertension
- tenderness and enlargement of the breasts
- headache
- pre-mature closure of epiphysis
Use
Indications
Moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, vulval and vaginal atrophy associated with the menopause, female hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure, palliation in breast cancer (women and men with metastatic disease, prevention of osteoporosis, advanced androgen-dependent carcinoma of the prostate, for palliation only
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts by regulating the tran-scription of a limited number of genes.
Full mechanism text
It acts by regulating the tran-scription of a limited number of genes. It diffuses through cell membranes, distributes itself throughout the cell, and binds to and activates the nuclear oestrogen receptor, a DNA-binding protein that is found in oestrogen-responsive tissues. The activated oestrogen receptor binds to specific DNA sequences, or hormone-response elements, which enhance the transcription of adjacent genes and in turn lead to the observed effects.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progynova | Bayer Schering Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | 660.30 |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.