Divigel 0.1% (Oestriol 1mg) 30 Sachets/Pack

General Information

What is Divigel 0.1% used for?

Divigel 0.1% is a transdermal gel (absorbed through the skin) containing oestrogen that is used as a short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to substitute for a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause. Divigel 0.1%  helps relieve symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy. Divigel 0.1% is also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture. Divigel 0.1%  stimulates the development of female sexual characteristics, and is used as part of a transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals

How does Divigel 0.1% work?

Divigel 0.1% is a gel containing the active ingredient oestradiol, the major and the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen. Oestradiol in Divigel 0.1% diffuses out of the gel through your skin and into your blood, delivering a dose of 1.0mg oestradiol per day. Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism. Because the oestadiol in Divigel 0.1% enters your blood directly and continuously, it is not metabolised (broken down) by the liver, as happens when you take oral oestrogen tablets.

What does Divigel 0.1% contain?

 Divigel 0.1% contains the active ingredient oestradiol 1.0mg, which is the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen and is responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics and regulation of the menstrual cycle.

So Divigel 0.1% contains 1mg oestradiol in 1g of gel in each sachet/packet.

Treating symptoms of menopause with Divigel 0.1%

Divigel 0.1% substitutes for the loss of oestrogen production by the ovaries that occurs during menopause and is the cause of symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, dry vagina, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration loss of energy and bone loss (osteoporosis). Divigel 0.1% is a skin gel for transdermal delivery (absorbed through the skin) of the hormone oestradiol, an active form of the female hormone oestrogen that relieves moderate to severe menopausal symptoms.

Divigel 0.1% for hormone replacement therapy

Divigel 0.1% is a skin gel for transdermal delivery (absorbed through the skin) of the hormone oestrogen that is used as a short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to substitute for a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries during the menopause. Divigel 0.1% is used to relieve symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy. Divigel 0.1% is also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis), which is also caused by lack of oestrogen, and reduce risk of fracture.

Divigel 0.1% for transgender treatment

 Divigel 0.1% can be used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals, by providing a source of oestradiol, an active form of the female hormone oestrogen. Divigel 0.1% is a skin gel for transdermal delivery (absorbed through the skin) of oestrogen that stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and also induces metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape.

Divigel 0.1% for feminising hormone therapy

Divigel 0.1% contains oestradiol, the most feminising form of the female hormone oestrogen, which provides a very effective means of feminisation when used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals. Divigel 0.1% is a skin gel for transdermal delivery (absorbed through the skin) of oestrogen that stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and also induces metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape, while at the same time overriding the effects of testosterone.

What are the side effects of Divigel 0.1%?

The most frequently reported side effects when using Divigel 0.1% are: irritation where the gel is applied, breast tenderness, breast pain, abdominal pain, nausea, oedema, and headache, skin rash and itching, insomnia and depression.

What are the health risks of Divigel 0.1%?

Long-term HRT with Divigel 0.1% does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis. For women with an intact uterus adding a progestogen to an oestrogen replacement regimen like Divigel 0.1% is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. There is also an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older.

When should Divigel 0.1% not be used?

You should not use Divigel 0.1% if you:

• are allergic to oestradiol or any of the ingredients in Divigel 0.1%
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen use
• have abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause

• are taking other medications that may interact with Divigel 0.1%, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz or preparations containing St John's Wort

What medications interact with Divigel 0.1%?

Medications that may interact with Divigel 0.1%, are as follows

• anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine
•  anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz
•  preparations containing St John's Wort

How should Divigel 0.1% be used and for how long?

You should apply a dose of Divigel 0.1% to your skin once a day for as long as recommended by your doctor. The starting dose is usually one sachet per day, but this may be increased or decreased by your doctor. Rub the gel into to clean, dry, unbroken skin on your lower trunk or thighs, using the right and left side on alternate days. Do not apply to skin that is red or irritated or to the breasts or face and avoid contact with your eyes. Allow the gel to dry on your skin for a few minutes and do not wash the skin or apply other skin care products until at least one hour after application. Wash your hands after applying Divigel 0.1% to reduce the chance that the gel will spread from your hands to other people.

Missed dose of Divigel 0.1%

If you miss a dose of Divigel 0.1% take it as soon as you remember, unless the dose is more than 12 hours late, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Divigel 0.1%  be stored?

You should store your Divigel 0.1% in their sachets in a cool dry place below 25°C.