Elleste Duet Conti problems with supply.

[Itscoldouthere]

Is anyone else having problems getting hold of these tablets? I’ve tried everywhere and just can’t get them.
I’ve now got to see if the doctor will give me something similar so have to go back to have my blood pressure checked. Very annoying as I was getting on well with this brand.
Anyone have advice for something similar?

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

No advice, but have had the same problem. Even Boots can't get them for me (the 3rd pharmacy I tried).

[Itscoldouthere]

I’m now going to the doctors on Monday so they can prescribe me an alternative as I’ve run out and I’ve tried everywhere for 2 weeks !

[MrsSnippyPants]

A member of staff at a branch of Boots rang their supplier for me and they were told they will be available again this week. I left my month old prescription with them but they have not rung me to tell me they have them so I think there are still problems.
I am off to see my GP this afternoon as after much toing and froing and multiple telephone calls he prescribed me Kliovance as a replacement. I had to point out to him that these were half the dose of hormones I was currently taking so I would need to take 2 a day. I don't think he had even noticed. Consequently, they have only lasted me 6 weeks rather than 3 months and I have had to go back to him today to get yet another prescription in case the Elleste are still unavailable.
He will also nag me yet again to stop taking HRT as he thinks I have been on it 'too long' and I am bloody well fed up of having the same argument with him.
I will check with all 3 pharmacies in our small town this afternoon and report back if I find out anything useful.

[Itscoldouthere]

MrsSnippy that’s very interesting, I’ve only been on the conti for three months having been on the duet for 9 months and I was getting on well with it.
I also had a right old fight with my doctor to get HRT took 4 visits and in the end I simply said I want HRT and he agreed.
I was seeing a private gynaecologist for something and he switched me to the conti, he wasn’t concerned about me taking it at all.
My doctor won’t give me different brand of HRT without seeing me first, which I know is probably best practise, but I will be really pissed off if they start telling me I don’t need it !

[amicissimma]

Elleste Duet conti contains 2 mg estradiol (estradiol hemihydrate) and 1 mg norethisterone acetate

Kliovance contains Estradiol 1 mg (estradiol hemihydrate) and norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg

Kliofem contains Estradiol 2mg (estradiol Hemihydrate) and Norethisterione Acetate 1mg

So it looks as if you should have Kliofem instead of Kliovance. My GP just writes the prescription as Estradiol and Norethisterione (and the dose) and leaves me to negotiate which brand I prefer with the pharmacy. Personally I find the Klio containers slightly more convenient.

Google suggests a supply problem with Elleste at the moment, although once I couldn't get Klio and had to have Elleste, so they seem to take it in turns.

My GP says I can stay on HRT as long as I wish, provided I don't develop any contra-indicative symptoms.

[Archiesmum2]

I encountered the same issue getting hold of Ellestre Conti Duet, however following recommendation from my excellent local pharmacist I obtained a prescription for Kliofem. It’s almost as good as the ECD but doesn’t suit me personally quite so well. Good luck ladies.

[Itscoldouthere]

Archiesmum I finally managed to get my replacement after much faffing around at the doctors.
They’ve given me Kliogfem, it will be interesting to see how it makes me feel.
What’s different for you? Seeing as you say it doesn’t suit you quite as well?

[Archiesmum2]

My skin is more sensitive and I have more headaches than when taking ECD, but overall I would rather take it than not. Hope that helps?

[Itscoldouthere]

Just taken the first one so we shall see!

[JinglingHellsBells]

Kliofem is twice as much estrogen.

There are literally loads of other choices with estradiol and norethisterone.

[SueHill1967]

I'm in the same boat, feel like a junkie that needs a fix, I was doing great on the elleste duet 2mg, but cant get them for love not money, didn't mind paying double for them either, I've had to take kliofem & have been bleeding for 5wks & feel like crap, is this our lives now???

[Itscoldouthere]

Oh no Sue that’s no good. I’ve not had any bleeding.
Had you stopped bleeding prior to the HRT change, just asking as my gyne consultant has always insisted with me that I should be checked out if I have any bleeding at all.
Hope you settle down soon.
So far the Kliofem seems Ok with me.

[Kayla59]

Hi everyone I was taking Elleste duet conti up to 3 days ago I was told there was a manufacturing fault with them, which is really annoying because they suited me really well, just as soon as I find something that works they withdraw it, this has happened twice now!! I have been given the alternative Femoston 1/5mg and after the second day have been experiencing a headache that won't go, is this typical of changing brands and will it settle down?? i used to suffer from terrible migraines and am worried they may come back, has anyone experienced this and if so did it get better? Thank you ladies for your advice in advance

[Geekster1963]

I'm having the same problem. I've been on Elleste Duet for four years and my pharmacy can't get them anymore. My GP prescribed an equivalent called Kilofem but when I got them home and read the leaflet they weren't the same type. I am on cyclical ones and these are conti ones.

I phoned my GP and they have changed it to Femoston. They are cyclical tablets like I'm on but slightly different hormone so I will have to see how I get on with them. I still have six weeks of my current ones to finish.

The Elleste duet worked so well for me it's a pain we can no longer get hold of them.

[Rafflesway]

Another one here who had taken EDC for several years with great success until my local pharmacy could no longer acquire them.

My GP also prescribed Kliofem! I only take half a tablet per day as this is sufficient for me. Had been doing the same with EDC. So far so good after 2 weeks. 🤞

One thing I have noticed is I don't seem to suffer itchy skin with Kliofem as I did with EDC.

[AutumnCrow]

I use Evorel, very similar (although I use the patches - a transdermal route is recommended if possible these days I have read?)

Also, I was having trouble obtaining a different medication, and it was the local Asda pharmacy that came up trumps. Worth trying them.

[thenightsky]

Oh hell, I'm on duet 2mg and due to put my prescription in on Friday this week. GP will only give me one month at a time for some reason. My GP also has the pharmacy attached as its a rural practice. Having to hoik myself around different pharmacies will mean hours of driving

If I have to change tablets, I'll have to see my awful GP again (bloke in his 60s who speaks to me like I'm a 5 year old woman with air inside my skull instead of a brain). As a PP said below:

He will also nag me yet again to stop taking HRT as he thinks I have been on it 'too long' and I am bloody well fed up of having the same argument with him.

[SueHill1967]

This is terrible news ladies & I feel sorry for my partner who's in the firing line for everything atm, bless him, I'm going to keep trying to get hold of these elleste duet 2mg, it messes with your psyche.... but at least I have my sense of humour, wine & cake

[Fazackerley]

Is there any reason why the Kliofem doesn't suit women as well? Isn't it exactly the same drugs as the Elleste Duet?

I'm getting on really well with the sequi Elleste, I don't want to come off it - gp says I need to move onto conti but I don't think I do!

[SueHill1967]

I was on the 1mg elleste duet at first but my symptoms didn't lift, & went on to the 2mg, never looked back, why try & fix something if it's not broken is my motto, but I can't get them, which is very disappointing xx

[Itscoldouthere]

So far so good for me and the Kliofem, the pharmacist in my dr surgery said she will check if Elleste is back in stock when I need my next lot in 3 months time.
thenightsky what a pain in the arse! I had to fight to get HRT from my doctors, in the end I just said ‘I want HRT’ and they gave in, I too have a village practise but actually the lady doctor was the most difficult and rude.
Since going on HRT I’ve had to see a gynaecologist privately for another issue and he has reassured me that I’m doing the right thing for me, so I’m not going to let the grumpy doctors put me off.
I feel so much better, in so many ways.

[elliemae30]

Very interesting reading your threads i myself have been on Elleste Duet for 3yrs im 53 Have now the same problem of getting these but i did want to wean myself off to see how i do was put onto Elleste Conti or would have been if pharmacist hadnt said cant get that either.
Went back to doctor who i must say is brilliant understanding lady she has now prescribed Kliofem 2mg/1mg and these are available.
I always got on well with Eleste Duet after initial 6 to 8 weeks of perserverance but then fine sweats went bones not so achey ,sanity back people came near me again lol So this will be a learning curve i hope Kliofem will do the same havent started yet as have elleste month to finish but will let yiu know in case anyone out there going through the same problem getting the Elleste.xx

[thenightsky]

I put my prescription in and got it with no problems last week. I was expecting trouble, but no. Phew.

[KarenJB]

Hi, after an early menopause I have been happily using Elleste Duet for over 12 years and love it . Like everyone else I have been unable to obtain it recently, and have started using Kliofem recommended by the pharmacist. It has only been a few weeks but my skin has become very dry and itchy. The itchy skin may just be a coincidence I am not sure.
soon as E-D is available again I'm switching back.

[Mamabear71]

Just had same problem but pharmacist found identical one called kliofem...different manufacturer but same ingredients as called Dr to write another prescription. Hope this helps x