Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem)

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
	Vagifem

Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem) - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem) cause?

As Vagifem® contains a very small amount of estrogen, the side effects are usually well tolerated.

Some of the common side effects include:

Headache
Stomach pain
Vaginal discharge or discomfort

If it is painful during the insertion of the applicator into the vagina, the applicator may be moistened with water or lubricated with a lubricating cream/jelly.

Rare but serious side effects include:

Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting
Sudden, new severe headaches
A large rise in your blood pressure which may cause headaches, tiredness, dizziness.
Dark urine or light-coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin. These may be signs of liver disease.
Painful swelling and redness of the legs, sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing which could be signs of a blood clot.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately:

Before taking Vaginal Estradiol (Vagifem) , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots, migraine headaches, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus or cancer.
You are going for surgery or will be on bed rest.