Oestrogel: new packaging (yet again)?

[Cosmetichamster]

Hi ladies,

Just got this month's prescription for Oestrogel, and I have been issued with a bottle that is new (to me at least). Have a look at the photo: left is what I have known and used since June this year, on the right is the new bottle, also from Besins, same labels, same ingredients, and long use by date (07/25). Obtained from a reputable pharmacy, which has filled all my previous HRT prescriptions.

Has anyone seen this sort of thing? Slightly freaked out here.

I reported it, and some other posters did. It might be on another thread but I posted some of the response and everyone had received the same one. Basically Besins says they've tested everything and there's zero difference.

Same, i also reported as all my symptoms came back using the Oestrodose instead of Oestrogel. I had same reply as above.

Imagine the furore if this strength anomaly was an issue with anything but an HRT preparation!

I reported to the yellow card scheme but I don't think I ever got a response.

Picked up 3 months supply today from local independent chemist. All 6 bottles were old shape, orange square, batch codes beginning with 7. Last time I picked up from there they were 'new' shaped bottles (I haven't used them) so I'm not really sure what's going on.

@RestingMurderousFace Could be a ploy by the manufacturer putting the “new” product in the old bottles and seeing if they still get complaints.

Oestrogel New Packaging- smaller due to HRT being free after the 2 purchases per Year?? & less concentrated?? I found like many women even with the old style bottles that the 🟩 & 🟨 bottles were different in contents!! The 'Green Square' worked for me & the 'Yellow Square" caused my symptoms to return & didn't work?!! (Same bottles supposedly same concentrate of gel inside!!) So I totally believe that some womens symptoms are returning upon using this 'New Packaging Product' ...My first day on the New Packaging, so can't comment just yet, however I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's not like that previous useless 🟨 for me...sorry to hear women are having to suffer 'Again' :( .. please do report if its not working, I certainly shall be if it turns out not to work for myself either!

@MuMz0 - I have been getting the old bottles with 🟨 and 7 series. They don't work as well as it did pre Christmas. I'm now on 4 pumps instead of 2 and still having mild symptoms! Thinking of trying the patch but wary of new side effects. It's so unfair, why do we have to suffer this poor quality service!

@JobChangeSoonPlease Hi :) I think it's the 🟨 bottles! My local pharmacy thankfully used to save me the 🟩's , when I informed them that the 'yellow square' bottles were bringing back my symptoms & not working, they said " you're not the only woman to say that to us" (bare in mind this is a tiny pharmacy attached to GP's) so for them to be aware of the 🟨's it was most definitely a thing!!
I picked up my prescription yesterday & very sheepishly the pharmacist said "I'm afraid we no longer have the 🟩 , instead we have the 'New Packaging' or a good supply of 🟨" (funny how they still have a large supply of the Yellow Square hey??!!) So begrudgingly I went with the 'New' ..I applied it this morning..on first appearance the pump quantity delivered is smaller? & the consistency of the Gel is slightly thicker & sank in more quickly?..So far no hot flushes returned ( these came back with a vengeance 2hrs after application of the 🟨 by the way) fingers crossed it works?? ..Maybe you should try the 'New Packaging Gel' before the patches? Let's hope it works for all 🌸🤞🏻

Ive only ever received the green square or the Oestrodose.
So many were raging that the orange square were the best quality! I was always hoping to get hold of some.
Im changing my mind....
My symptoms returned with the Oestrodose. Although ive settled again now. Hope we don't get a shortage of the green square now, couldnt cope with anymore upheaval 😭

@MuMz0 - thank you for that update. What's the 'new packaging' please? I thought the flagon+yellow square+7 series was supposed to be it? Totally confused now

@MuMz0 The most recent bottle is the conical shape without a 'neck'. Check the photo above that @Cosmetichamster has posted.

All bottles are still available in the UK and EU markets.

If you go to https://www.oestrogel.co.uk/home-patient/, a popup screen shows Besins' official photo of the 'current pack' and 'additional pack'. (image attached below)

Besins is now the sole manufacturer (it used to be Delpharm in Belgium and Besins in France), so the gel shall be the same regardless of the bottle when the current stocks are sold out.

There's no good or bad version, stronger or weaker version. Each woman is different and feels better depending on unique absorption rates.

The raw materials used to manufacture the current gel versions come from different suppliers, which might affect these absorption rates.

I have recently emailed the GDS (Government Digital Service) regarding an inaccurate FOI (Freedom of Information) request response on 'the number of yellow card reports you have received on the Besins pump action oestrogen gel that goes by the names Oestrogel and Oestrodose'.

GDS has replied to the FOI request:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-13-december-2021/freedom-of-information-request-the-number-of-yellow-card-reports-you-have-received-on-the-besins-pump-action-oestrogen-gel-that-goes-by-the-names-of

And I have emailed them the following:

'The FOI response has a piece of wrong information.

"Both Oestrogel and Oestrodose are made by the same manufacturer in an identical manner and in the SAME FACTORY, so it is expected that they work equally well."

It contradicts the Patient Information Leaflet of the medication in question.

The medication is produced by TWO different manufacturing facilities in TWO different countries.

Besins Manufacturing Belgium in Drogenbos, Belgium

OR

Besins Laboratoires International, in Montrouge, France.'

They have replied, saying the issue is under investigation.

Sorry, the post above should have been directed @JobChangeSoonPlease

@Azaleah - thank you. It looks like I do have the 'new' packaging. 4 pumps and still mild symptoms. Fingers crossed...

@JobChangeSoonPlease Fingers crossed 🤞🏻🤞🏻💕

I 100% found that the oestrodose was different to the oestrogel, even the consistency.
I also reported on yellow card system.
They stated no diffetence in ingredients basically 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you @Azaleah for all that really useful info and taking the time to do that.

Hi I have just found this post thankfully. My symptoms have returned recently after using the new style pump. I noticed straight away that a smaller amount appears to come out of the pump. My symptoms have returned and it’s now affecting my sleep which is really disappointing. I don’t want to increase the dose without consultation as it may be related to the product as opposed to the amount I’m getting. I had to go via a private consultant to start hrt as my GP was dismissive. After having some relief for the for a period of time I’m not looking forward to starting that battle again as this is not working for me. Attached photo of the ineffective product

I have just searched for information on the change in packaging and came across this thread. I could have written the above post, it describes my experience too.
I started using the new bottle a week ago and noticed that the amount of gel dispensed was less. I've been using 2 pumps for about a year. My sleep has deteriorated over the last few days and I'm struggling with low mood,weepiness. Last night I couldn't drop off, I'm absolutely shattered this morning. I feel as I did before I started HRT.
I don't know whether to add another pump? I can't use patches as I had a skin reaction.

My experience was exactly the same. I don’t know if this helps but I always check which bottle they have in stock at the pharmacy before I renew my prescription. I’m sorry your GP was dismissive, that’s awful.

So, in summary, the best is the old style green square?

I've just looked at my stash, and I have one green old style, one yellow old style, one new style, and a box in sandrena!

I was supplied on a two pump regime, but only ever used one, hence the stash, until my current bottle which is a yellow, and I increased to two pumps..... Really interesting.

You have both spurred me into action. I plan to speak to the Senior pharmacist at my local pharmacy next week (she’s always been helpful). Depending on how that goes I’ll follow up with a GP appt. If that doesn’t help I’ll get in touch with the consultants secretary who I saw previously. Good to know it’s not just me. Also to add I’m constantly hungry and my weight has increased slightly. Good luck to everyone in sorting this. I’ll let you know how it goes for me

I previously posted that I felt the new cylindrical bottles were not working the same. Whilst taking the old shape bottle for 6 months my breasts were much fuller, when I changed to the new shape cylindrical bottle my symptoms returned but what was most obvious was how my breasts felt, they were more saggy and less full. For my last prescription I shopped around until I found a chemist that had the old shape bottles and my breasts have filled out again. There is definitely a difference to what is in the bottle, the original one also smells more like alcohol .
My prescription needs renewing so I will have to go in search of the old bottles, are they still in circulation?

@Vicci6 that's sooo relatable (the boobs bit)..using the 'New' Cylinder bottle for 7 days now & have had to increase pumps from 2 to 3 (previously had the 🟩 which worked wonders on 2 pumps) as anxiety/palpations have increased :( & just checked my boobs after reading you & yep definitely not as full & admittedly more saggy!! :( 'New' packaging is sooo bloomin frustrating!! Bring back the 🟩 contents , green is a symbol of peace afterall...

I’ve just finished my last bottle of 🟩 flagon and picked up a new prescription. Again I checked that I wasn’t receiving the new conical shaped bottle but have the old shape but with 🟧….
Fingers crossed it’s going to work, how is everyone else getting on?