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Original poster

Elleste Duet Conti problems with supply.

111 replies

Itscoldouthere · 28/02/2019 16:31

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?

OP posts:
elliemae30 · 01/04/2019 10:09

Same here cant get Elleste Conti so prescribed Kliofem do you think maybe because Kliofem is cheaper than Elleste for 3 months supply and down to cuts again
Just a thought

joc113 · 01/04/2019 11:07

I have just called up for elleste duet and been told that they are still having major supply issues. I called the doctor who is going to TRY and find me something else in stock as apparently there are massive supply issues with alot of HRT!

Its disgusting that they cannot supply these medicines, its bad enough we have to pay for them, now I have to pay for the prescription again! I was also told that they think the manufacturers are stock piling!!!

thenightsky · 01/04/2019 11:57

I have a pre-paid card which is about £104 for the year I think. Works out much cheaper for me.

45perry45 · 20/04/2019 17:26

I and my GP have decided I will continue with HRT for life. Been on HRT for 19 years since early menopause at 46.
Now I am unable to get EDC and have been taking Kliofem since January.
I feel about 100. Joints so sore. Suddenly I have arthritis in so many places and having night sweats I have never had before.
I am wondering if others have had issues as I feel as though I have just stopped HRT not moved to a substitute.

thenightsky · 20/04/2019 18:42

Mine's been replaced by Novofem. But I've just had a look a that packet properly (with my glasses on) and notice its only 1mg (Elleste was 2mg). No wonder I've felt like shite this last week! And my arthritis seems to have worsened too. Can't sleep for joint pain now. Sad

ECS0007 · 21/04/2019 10:23

I switched from Elleste Duet to Kliofem about 3 weeks ago. I feel terrible. I'm having hot flushes, I'm tearful alot, boobs are sore. I never had any of these symptoms on Elleste. I've been on Elleste for 10 years. It's very frustrating!

thenightsky · 21/04/2019 11:53

If its some consolation, when I picked my Novofem up, the pharmacy woman said Elleste would probably be back next month. GP hasn't actually changed my repeat prescription paperwork, just gave me the Novofem as a (hopefully) one-off substitution.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/04/2019 12:14

I had a look at the online pharmacy I use for you. Out of stock there too :(

youllhavehadyourtea · 24/04/2019 21:41

I've been switched to Kliofem and I don't like it. Been on it 2 months now.

Stupid finicky dispenser and Brain Fog is back.

I was given a prescription for a few months supply - I'm going back to the GP to say I don't like it and is Elleste available again.

ECS0007 · 24/04/2019 21:55

Same here. Kliofem is awful. Fingers crossed for Elleste Duet's return!! 🙏

youllhavehadyourtea · 24/04/2019 23:02

Kliofem is also cheaper, so I don't want to be told by GP - oh its just the same, you're imagining it.

I was prescribed Elleste at the Menopause Clinic , and my local GP practice ( who originally refused me any HRT at all ) has changed it ( yes I know ELleste is out of stock, but I just don't trust them to listen to me and change it back)

KarenJB · 24/04/2019 23:21

Boots pharmacist also said they expected supply of ED in May. I’ve been taking Kliofem for 5 weeks & have been scratching my skin to pieces. Desperate to be back on ED

ECS0007 · 01/05/2019 22:47

I emailed the manufacturer of Elleste. Bit baldy, I know but I'm really struggling. I received an infuriating and rehearsed reply stating "they are aware of the manufacturing issues and are striving to have it fixed but are unable to say when". That made my symptoms worse!! Tells me nothing, that reply does!!

ECS0007 · 01/05/2019 22:49

Meant to say Balsy!!! Not baldy. Stupid autocorrect.

Fireinthegrate · 03/05/2019 20:36

My pharmacist told me that Elleste won’t be available for year!

I’ve been prescribed evorel sequi patches but have not started yet

Anyone had these patches?

thenightsky · 03/05/2019 20:39

A year?! If it was men who took this, I can bet there'd be no supply issue. Did your pharmacist say where she'd heard it was a year fire?

Fireinthegrate · 03/05/2019 20:56

No
My GP asked her to find an alternative to elleste as there is a prowith supply.
She rang me to say i should take evorel sequi as Elleste won’t be available for at least a year

Fireinthegrate · 03/05/2019 20:56

Problem with supply 😏

thenightsky · 03/05/2019 21:10

I'm going to put my prescription in on Tuesday morning. I'll report back.

youllhavehadyourtea · 04/05/2019 12:22

A year!!!!!

I've made an appointment with GP to see if I could cancel the Kliofem prescription and get Elleste back...

Oh no...thats not good news.

thenightsky · 10/05/2019 12:29

Right... just been to pick up my supply only to be given the alternative again (Novofem). I asked pharmacist when the good stuff was likely to be back and she shook her head and said its most likely to be discontinued completely! Sad

My really good HRT (name forgotten) was discontinued too, which is how I ended up on the Elleste in the first place. How can they keep discontinuing stuff and not replacing it?

JinglingHellsBells · 10/05/2019 14:11

I might have posted on this before but in any case....many types of HRT have exactly the same ingredients, they are just under a different brand name.

Elleste is estrodiol and norethisterone.
You can get each of these as separate tablets. They don't have to be in a 'ready made' pack.

There are dozens of way s of taking HRT, not just what comes packaged up in a pack of pills.

thenightsky · 10/05/2019 15:25

JinglingHellsBells Yes, I believe it was you who posted this earlier. I wrote it out and took it to my GP when they called me in to discuss the alternatives available. GP went through the paper version of the BNF book and found two tablets which would have added up to the same thing (as you state), but they were greyed out on the options box when she tried to do the new prescription on the computer, which meant our pharmacy didn't keep them.

youllhavehadyourtea · 10/05/2019 15:34

I was at the GP this morning - she was aware of the situation, doesn't think it will be discontinued, but thinks its about putting the price up. Not quite sure what she meant.
We looked up the prices of Kliofem - it's £11 a packet, Elleste £17. SHe says both are very cheap as medication goes.

ANyway, I swapped my years prescription - which I hadn't cashed in - for a 2 month prescription - and will try again for Elleste next time.

JinglingHellsBells · 10/05/2019 16:01

found two tablets which would have added up to the same thing (as you state), but they were greyed out on the options box when she tried to do the new prescription on the computer, which meant our pharmacy didn't keep them.

Hmm

Most pharmacies can order anything in from a wholesaler.

Norethisterone is a very common drug which is prescribed to delay periods. No way they can't get that.

Estrogen as a patch, pill or gel is the other option and should be available.