Lack of 75 patches

[AyeCarrumba]

Ffs
Finally managed to get my doc to prescribe higher dose of oestrogen everol patches and there's a shortage! Chemist has no idea how long it will be.
What can I do 😰

Does anyone know who produces these?

It's Theramex.

thebms.org.uk/news/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply/

This list is supposed to give the latest situation with patches, but it's only today that they have updated to say Estradot is hard to source, and those of us who use it have been struggling for months. There are mechanisms in place for substitution, the pharmacist should be able to give you ANY 75 mcg patches.

It's bloody ridiculous this.
I had to drive best part of 15 miles to fulfil my prescription of evorel 75.

It's a stress we just don't need.

Agree. I know there are other issues going on in the world, but literally nobody is talking about this.

You can double up with a 50 and a 25 patch, or 2 x 37 mgs.

Or another brand. There will be some and your pharmacist ought to offer a sub.

You absolutely can double up patches and that's what I'd be doing. But it's just exacerbating the supply issues as the people on 50 or 25 are suddenly going to find no patches as they've all been taken by the women who should be on 75 or 100. It's all such a mess.

Also many of us have found that they aren't really interchangeable - I do well on Estradot, rubbish on Evorel and i;m allergic to the glue on the patches too, and rubbish on the gel. It's so individual and although swapping to a different brand or doubling up patches is a short term emergency measure it's not going to work long term.

The pharmacist said they didn't know of any other patches. And I'd have to speak to my go again. It's taken me a month to get to speak to the bloody gp. Why is this so hard?

Which brand makes 25?

I had a spray if my lenzetto last night. To top up my evorel 50. Is that a bad idea?

evorel do 25

You can also cut a 50

The pharmacist said they didn't know of any other patches.

Really??? That's literally THEIR JOB. There are patches like Evorel and Estradot which you change twice a week and others (think called Fem 7) which you change every week. And other brands too like Estraderm. Because of short supply there was a protocol which was put in place to allow pharmacists to substitute same dose patches without you schlepping back to the GP, not sure if it's still in place, think it is, but this service from your pharmacy is awful.

One tip I heard on here is if you are using estrogen only patches to ask the GP to issue a script for "estradiol patches" which is the generic name rather than for a specific brand like Evorel or Estradot. Then the pharmacy can give you what they have.

You really shouldn't need to speak to the GP again, a receptionist or nurse at your practice should be able to resolve it for you. Good luclk.

Have you tried another pharmacy - some are more active than others in tracking down stock.

I was on Evorel 75 for years and used to be given 6 months supply at a time. Those days are gone - over the past couple of years it went down to 3 months supply, now I get one month!

I take what I'm given, preferably Evorel or Estradot, and reluctantly Estraderm as they don't stick no matter what I do.

Sorry forgot to add, my GP prescribes generic Estradiol so the pharmacist can then give me whatever brand he has.

I had exactly this before Christmas, no 75's in any brand, so I'm now on the 100's 🙄 They do have plenty of gel though.

The notice from the supplier does say it's likely to be a one month delay, so it ought to be possible to have one sub for that time.

I know it's been a bit 'iffy' in supply for along time partly I think as it's a small patch and popular.

All pharmacists should be able to find you one type of patch that is the equivalent dosage and this has been advised by the medicines advisory organisation to cover shortages.

It's Evorel she can't get, @JinglingSpringbells . I think the shortages with that are a knock-on effect from the other brand shortages.

That's a treat idea!
Although when on the 2 weeks with progesterone added, i guess you'd need extra oestrogen only ones 🤔

The dr had cancelled my prescription and told them to give me the 50s which I declined. As I am sick of having back stock of the stuff (hence I have the Lenzetto still)

I came off the Lenzetto because the GP wouldn't prescribe more than 3 sprays which is equivalent to the 50s. But i know that private Drs allow more sprays. Would it work to go private then ask them to prescribe and the GP continue the prescription?

@AyeCarrumba I have messaged you.

I've also ordered from an online private pharmacy before and paid when I've been desperate - I think it's the indeoendent pharmacy? If you have a prescription or a box with a label on with your details, they'll send out after you've completed the online questionnaire.

I've just checked, they have Evorel 75's - it's £45 for 3 boxes of 8 - perhaps that will tide you over?

You are allowed 3 months' worth of any type of hrt owing to the shortages.
It shouldn't matter if you get this privately or NHS.

For women using Lenzetto, 3 bottles would be 3 months (I assume) based on how much is used per month. If you use a lot per month then you could get more.

The licensing rules were changed last year that enabled pharmacists to substitute alternatives. This is all online for you and them to see. The BMS and WHC have published very detailed lists of what a woman uses and what the equivalents are in case of a shortage.

Your GP doesn't need to be involved. They ought to - if there is an issue with supply- write a generic prescription which the pharmacist can fill.

here- linked for you

thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HRT-Equivalent-preparations-7th-January-22.pdf

I have 13 evorel 75 patches - unopened full box and only 1 used out of the other box. I won’t be using them as I’m allergic to the glue. Happy to post to first person who pms me

Sorry, full box of 8 and partial box.

Yes please huffpuff! I don't know how to private message

It's a real pain especially alongside not being able to get Utrogestan aswell!! I have cut patches in half but it's not the same. Let's hope it's resolved soon!!