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Original poster

Patches unavailable!!!

11 replies

Jinglebell2020 · 03/08/2022 21:05

3 months into my HRT journey and my pharmacy can’t fulfil the patches as they are unavailable! It’s Estradot 75mg.
I have only got a few patches left from current prescription and been waiting 4 weeks for these ones. What do I do???

OP posts:
StiggyZardust · 03/08/2022 21:11

I've had this problem. Have you asked for a different brand, same dose? Might not be exactly the same but it's better than nothing.

Jedstre · 03/08/2022 21:16

Evorel patches instead? Seems to be less supply issues than with estradot

Whatacrocof · 08/08/2022 22:17

The chemist I use in Mcr put them on order. I’m using Estradot 100mg. Can they place an order with the supplier/mfr?

stringbean · 08/08/2022 22:44

I posted about this a couple of days ago. Spent all Saturday morning trying to find Estradot 50 patches. Where I am, the other doses were in stock but nowhere had the 50mcg dose, so supply does seem patchy (excuse pun!).

I ended up ringing loads of pharmacies to ask about stock, and did manage to get some, but was told to request a generic patch next time so a pharmacy can dispense another brand, depending on availability.

Pandorapitstop · 09/08/2022 20:02

Have you tried the Boots online pharmacy stock checker?
You might have to drive to a pharmacy further away, but they'll tell you which is the nearest branch to you with your patches in stock.
I've used it to track down some progesterone tablets; had to drive a few miles, but I was just so glad to have my medication that I didn't mind, and would have travelled a lot further!

urgen · 09/08/2022 20:06

First the gel and now patches! I was given 25 and 50 patches for a 75 dosage. So now I have to stick on two patches.

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 09/08/2022 20:20

Ah, this is so depressing. I have my first HRT prescription, for Lenzetto spray, which I haven't used because I can't get it anywhere, I know the gels are constantly in and out of stock, and I was just working up to calling for patches instead, even though I don't really want patches - and they are unreliable too??

Really, truly, no one gives a shit about women's health, do they?

urgen · 09/08/2022 21:45

I must say when the gels went out of stock I was told to try the patches. Last time I didn’t get on well with them and they kept peeling off. They are much better now and worth a try.

QueenOfHiraeth · 09/08/2022 21:59

There are other patches and pharmacists are allowed to substitute them without the prescription being altered as there is a Special Protocol at present due to the supply issues
There are also 7 day patches with equivalent strengths like FemSeven which come and go too

Original poster
Jinglebell2020 · 09/08/2022 23:11

Managed to get some but I was worried for a bit. Guess that will be how it goes now until shortage issue is resolved 😩

OP posts:
stringbean · 10/08/2022 07:03

I'm confused now - was told that the pharmacist had to dispense what was on the prescription, so if it said Estradot 50 that's what they had to dispense and couldn't dispense eg. two lots of 25. However, if the prescription says estradiol patch 50mcg then they can dispense any brand as long as the drug is the same.

One of the Boots pharmacies checked the local stock levels for me so I drove to another branch to get them but they didn't have them when I arrived - told me the stock checker isn't always accurate and not to rely on it Sad

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