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[VioletAquarius]

I had a call from my gp surgery today to say following nhs guidelines they are no longer prescribing Vagifem, as it costs too much and are therefore now to start prescribing a generic one, named just "Estradiol". They said it's the same ingredients as Vagifem.

I asked if it was for all of the UK and he said yes.

Has anyone else been told this? Can we refuse? Or could I change to Estradiol and if it doesn't suit ask to be changed back?

 I'm just a bit worried as some ladies on here have used a different brand but didn't get along with it,even though it was the same ingredients.  (I can't remember exactly what the problem was, can anyone help, just so I have the information in case I need it with the gp).

[sheila99]

I would try it first then go back to your GP if you have problems with it. I've had something different ( might have been vagirux?) and it was fine.

[CLKD]

estriodol should be OK. Vagifux is the cheaper version and many do not get on with it.  Is this NHS Policy or cuts in your Practice? 

[bombsh3ll]

This is entirely reasonable, it is the same active ingredient and if everyone demanded brand name medications the NHS would be bankrupt in a day.

If there is a genuine clinical reason why someone requires a more expensive brand of the same medication, an exception can usually be made, but not just because the box isn't as pretty or someone on social media says it's rubbish.

[Ayesha]

It was only a matter of time, Vagifem is so expensive and all that plastic is really not acceptable. Will have to wait and see for side effects, Vagirux has caused issues with some, lets hope its not the same. 

[VioletAquarius]

Thank you everyone!

CLKD - he just said they were following nhs guidelines, so I'm not sure if the nhs as a whole is cutting costs or just my gp practice.

[Suziemc]

I've had Vagirux on occasion in the past and got on fine with it, in fact I prefer it as there is less plastic.

I know it seems as if lots of women have problems, and I'm not minimising those who do, but don't forget that we all take to forums like this when something isn't working for us. So we tend to read about the negative experiences, we rarely come onto a forum to shout about what works.

Give it a go, you might find you notice no difference but keep a close eye and if your symptoms of GSM start to return then go back to GP, explain what's happening and ask to go back to Vagifem.

Fingers crossed that it works for you

Suzie

[Witches Cat]

I buy Gina from Superdrug as my pharmacy gave up with vagifem a couple of years back, i hated the replacement, instead of preloaded applicators you had a box of pills and an applicator you had to reuse and load yourself. The pills didnt hold tight and fell out, the cat would chase them round the bedroom floor.  Gina is made by novo nordisk (think thats the name) same blue alplicators, same formulation.

[CLKD]

The mind boggles    did she catch any?   

[Dierdre]

These guidelines aren't new the've been there a few years now. Estradiol generic was fine for me but not vagirux so I've had Vagifem written as my repeat perscription. My issue with Vagirux was the coating of the tablet burning.
Some people can use all the generic brands with no problem but we're all different.

[VioletAquarius]

Thank you all.  Yes, the gp surgery said they don't like vagirux as only 1 applicator which you have to re-use, and as such can cause infections, but this Estradiol one has an applicator for each tablet, just like vagifem.

[sheila99]

Easy enough to clean or disinfect it though and saves mountains of unnecessary plastic waste.

[CLKD]

Yep.  Each box of ovestin has a long plastic applicator which are easy to clean under running water with a small bottle brush obtained in sets of 10 from Amazon.

[sheila99]

And the thing your bits are designed for isn't sterilised either...

[Minusminnie]

🤣 ….maybe it should be !