How do I replicate 3 pumps of Oestrogel with patches?

[KillingMeDeftly]

Due to the shortage, when I picked my prescription up I'd been given Evorel 50. Not knowing anything about it I brought it home but upon doing a bit more research I see that I actually need Evorel 75.

Do I just need to go back to the doc and ask for a new prescription or is there a way around it! Don't really want to put what I've got to waste but I figure I can't use one and a half patches (can I??) and using 2 might be overkill!

I think I have seen prescriptions in the past where the patient was instructed to cut a patch in half but I admit I don't remember if it was an oestrogen patch.

A quick google says that you can, but have you read the patient information leaflet in the box to see if the company themselves mention it?

Having said that I would still contact your GP just to make sure that indeed you are meant to be on a higher dose and to also flag it up in your medical records so they can correct it for future prescriptions. Also you will run out sooner of your patches and cause confusion on why you are ordering a new prescription sooner!

Yes, I think I will call the GP tomorrow or Tuesday. Because of the way it's been prescribed I actually have about 8 months worth of progesterone pills so will tell the doc to stop that for the time being. So annoyed about the gel shortage but I guess the upside of patches is that there's no waiting around for them to dry!

I used to cut the patches in half when I was first on them, because I found the dose a bit too much for me. It was fine. It would be easier for you to get some of the Evorel 25 patches though, otherwise you’ll need 1.5 packs per 4 weeks and it will be harder to keep track!

You can cut some patches in half but not sure how they stick if you lose one sticky edge.

Does Evorel come as a 25mgs patch too? Some brands do.

Evorel patches are sticky all over, not just at the edges, so they stick fine if you cut them, but they do come in a 25 mg strength so I would have thought that’s the best option, at least once you’ve started a pack (it looks like they come in 75mg and 100mg strengths as well, so really OP should have been prescribed the 75s).

My GP cocked this up, too. Moved me from Evorel 75 to Sandrena 0.5 mg gel (= Evorel 25 ffs). Felt ill for ages*.

*I've had my ovaries removed so this really is a medical necessity for my GP to get right.

OP, I'd cut the patch, and store the other half safely back in the pouch thingy till you need it. I wouldn't waste it with the current shortages. The whole situation is atrocious.

I've just double checked and have made a mistake - it's Estradot 50 that I've been prescribed, not Evorel. I'm sure it's much of a muchness but I've no idea what the patches look like as I'm still using my last bottle of gel. Hopefully these can be cut in half too.

Yes, they are the same thing just different brands. If the doctor decides to add the 25 mg patch so you can make 75mg just check the pharmacies in your area for shortages! The same if they prescribe the 75mg patch.

I have been out of the parmacy scene for almost a year but when I was working there we constantly had problems with certain patches strengths and brands. The 25 and the 75 patches were elusive for a while!
I am surprised the gel is out of stock as it was the only thing that was available at some point and we had quite a few people switching to it as a replacement for the patches!

@KillingMeDeftly There is alot of info online about how to replicate doses.

Try

The Women's Health Concern
British Menopause Society
The website Balance of Dr Louise Newson

All of these have comparison charts.

You might have to put the words into a search engine to bring up the right page.