Estradot patches

[charli126]

Anyone heard if Estradot HRT patches are available yet? Heard they’d possibly be available towards the end of February 2025 😊

I’m hearing December!!

Oh no! That’s terrible. I ran out of Estradot in January and been struggling on without any patches as they are the only ones to suit me. I thought it’s not long until the end of February but December!!!

I think the December date is for Australia. I can't find any information online about that for the UK. This is from ChatGPT re the 50mcg strength.

As of February 26, 2025, the availability of Estradot hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches in the UK has been affected by supply issues. According to a Medicine Supply Notification issued on December 19, 2024, by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the 50 micrograms/24 hours Estradot patches were expected to be out of stock until late February 2025. Alternative brands, such as Evorel and Estraderm MX, have been available to support demand during this period.

To manage the shortage, Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) were implemented, allowing pharmacists to dispense alternative products without consulting the original prescriber. For instance, SSP079 permitted the substitution of Estradot 50 micrograms/24 hours patches with either Evorel 50 or Estraderm MX 50 patches. This protocol was effective from December 19, 2024, and was set to expire on February 28, 2025.

Given that today is February 26, 2025, and the SSP079 is nearing its expiration, it is anticipated that the supply of Estradot patches will resume shortly. However, for the most current information on availability, it is advisable to consult your local pharmacy or healthcare provider.

Thankyou for the info - makes me feel better. There could be light at the end of the tunnel!

Just going through this now - I need to call Newson back to discuss my prescription request. Which is the lesser of two evils - the Oestrogel with the dodgy bottles that I gave up last year, or other brands of patches (which I have heard bad things about!)?

Following but because I'm looking for a replacement for the Oestrogel like @Namechange87654321 I was getting on brilliantly but then seemed to have dropped off a cliff with the straight bottles!!

Estraderm is also in rather short supply now.

Has anyone else been swapped over to that? I've had a few days and have stomach pains,nausea and teariness and not sure if that's why.

Update - Estradot is back in stock as of today! Got some arriving tomorrow by courier via the Newson Clinic

Scotland here, been told it could be 2026! I’ve had to switch to estraderm mx in the meantime.

Pharmacist told me today that they'd stopped manufacturing Estrodot 😭
I reluctantly accepted Evorel instead.
Why would they stop manufacturing it? It's massively popular, isn't it? Must be really profitable for the manufacturer.

@WhereAreWeNow the pharmacist you spoke to is completely wrong-not sure where they got that info from. I'm a pharmacist too but a hospital pharmacist so not involved in supply of meds at all. However we received this Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) last week regarding the supply of Estradot. It states the previous SSP for Estradot is being extended until 21st of March for the 50mcg strength and 14th March for the 75mcg and 100mcg strengths. I presume then the 25mcg patch is unaffected.
I'm in Scotland but this is a UK wide SSP so the dates will apply to the rest of the UK too. I wouldn't be surprised if these dates were extended again but this is the current information.

www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/pca2025-p-02.pdf

Thanks @sunshinechaser . That's good to hear. It's frustrating because I moved to this pharmacy specifically because they seemed to have a better stock of Estrodot than Boots. Now nowhere has it. I'm not delighted to be back on Evorel - I always experience a little surge of symptoms whenever I switch brands - but it can't be helped.

My private menopause clinic said it would be 2026 as they are having to build a new factory to supply it. I’m having to try the bigger Evorel patches.

Anyone have any news on Estradot patches becoming available? 😊

I'm glad I found this thread before I posted my own. I've just gone to restock and be told I'm getting a replacement.

How is everyone getting on with replacements and which should I go for?

I feel if there are going to be these delays I should maybe just try and get on with a brand that's not going to be on and off the shelves.

I'm seriously pissed if though as I had finally started to get the balance spot on and feeling better and mentally stable now this.

Other than the size are they doing the job? I'm getting a bit panicky about changing as my anxiety has only just got under control and now I have to switch.

This whole shortage thing stresses me enormously. I don't get on at all with the gel. I am allergic to the glue on Evorel. Estradot is the only thing which works for me and my stock is rapidly diminishing.

We are going to Spain at the end of June for 2 weeks, I am seriously tempted to stock up there as southern Europe does not have the same supply issues.

I completely understand- I felt really good on estradot.

I’ve only just switched on Wednesday so I’ll keep you posted. So far I feel fine/the same. Not sure how long it would take to kick in if there were any problems? Should have asked my doctor.

I’m just crossing my fingers. I was horrified when she said it would be 2026 for estradot. How can this happen?! She said due to manufacturing issues they are building a whole new factory to produce it.

I would definitely stock up if you have issues with the other patches. I didn’t realise you could get them in Spain. Wonder if there’s any online supply?! I guess not. I’ll have to plan a trip to Spain!

I speak Spanish and am having trouble finding them online - even if I could find them through a spanish site, I doubt they'd sent to the UK because Brexit. AFAIK prices in Spanish pharmacies are standardised (they certainly used to be) and the boxes seem to be 19.78 euros per box - quite pricey, but if you can't get them here...

Definitely get them if you can.

I'm in SA as they are out of stock here as well. Last I heard new stock expected Jan 2026!

@rivalsbingeI used Evorel before I switched to Estradot and they were fine. I feel the same on both. There’s no clinical reason you won’t get on with them as they contain the same drug however the size of Evorel is a right PITA. Quite literally-if you put them on your bum they pinch when you sit or lie down. I am on the 100mcg strength and from memory they were enormous!

Arhh thanks so fingers crossed my symptoms don’t all come back as I was unable to work.

Evorel are definitely an inferior product due to their comparatively huge size and poor adhesion. One yoga session and a shower, and mine came off yesterday. It’s super stressful to be in limbo and after finally getting into a good routine of Estradot, switching to something else is really unwelcome. Thinking of trying a gel instead…

Yeah I’m not getting on well with mine. I have to cut one in half as they don’t do the right dose. Then one half is sharper and cuts in. I can see it hanging off too. So annoying. Really like the estradot.