Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Blot on October 23, 2020, 10:37:19 AM
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Hi ladies.
Just went to pick up my prescription of vagifem only to discover an alternative form of estradiol has been issued. Apparently it is now off patent so the nhs will not specifically request vagifem, obviously due to costs.
It comes with applicators that you have to load with the pessary and wash after use - I always thought the single use applicators were very wasteful but I’ve been spoilt I suppose.
I’m a bit wary because I got on very well with vagifem after initial start up problems but I will let you you if there is any difference. Fingers crossed no change will be noticed.
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Hi Blot, thanks for the update. Is it Vagirux? Someone has posted about it a while ago. It's made by the same manufacturer of Lenzetto estradiol spray, Gedeon Richter. It has exactly the same ingredients as Vagifem, so let's hope you won't feel any difference. It's always possible that the same ingredients from different sources can have traces of contaminants which can irritate the mucosa or cause allergic reactions, but they usually go away with continuous use. Fingers crossed you won't have any issues.
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I believe that you can buy 'vagifem' off prescription via various pharmacists in the UK?
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It’s just called estradiol 10 micro grams vaginal tablets by MercuryPharma, manufactured by Haupt Pharma Munster in Germany. Looks like exactly the same ingredients.
CLKD you can buy them from Superdrug pharmacy but they are around £40 a box. I’ll give them a go but will have to faff about with the applicator loading and cleaning. Was spoilt with vagifem.
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It is pricey but at least available. We shouldn't have to pay for what is on the NHS!!! MayB Dr Currie could comment - ? send a message to Emma ? and let us know?
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It’s just called estradiol 10 micro grams vaginal tablets by MercuryPharma, manufactured by Haupt Pharma Munster in Germany. Looks like exactly the same ingredients.
CLKD you can buy them from Superdrug pharmacy but they are around £40 a box. I’ll give them a go but will have to faff about with the applicator loading and cleaning. Was spoilt with vagifem.
Thanks Blot, haven't heard of it, but it must be good stuff, Germany is a top leader in pharmaceuticals. There's no reason to buy Vagifem privately. It's normal to have lots of other options available when a patent expires. It's very good news, actually.
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What other options though :-\
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Brand new stuff, PIL is not available yet. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11779/smpc
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What other options though :-\
CLKD, the only available option was Vagifem. Now we have Vagirux and the generic Estradiol 10 mcg Vaginal Tablets. Of course the NHS will buy the cheaper one, but it doesn't mean it's necessarily an inferior product. And I bet Vagifem price will fall. That's really good news.
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Now its off patent and open to other manufacturers, i wonder if they will be able to change the dosage and have a choice of 10mg or 25mg as previously prescibed.
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'Ovestin'? Same idea different delivery ......... works for me thus far.
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Now its off patent and open to other manufacturers, i wonder if they will be able to change the dosage and have a choice of 10mg or 25mg as previously prescibed.
Now that would be nice, to get the 25 mcg version back!
JP x
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This is exactly what my doctor prescribed for me on Monday as I keep getting a burning in my bladder area as I described it & she said VA. I just wash the applicator with hot water then leave to air dry, burning seems better but could be placebo effect I’m sure it cannot work that quick, just wish my burning back ache would go now :-\
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This is really interesting. Thanks for posting. I really like vagifem but hate the single use plastic. Please let us know how you get on with it.
I'm a bit nervous about trying another generic version though as I'm allergic to so many things (can't use the estriol or ovestin or any of the moisturisers).
Thanks
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I will. I’m nervous about starting them too.
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I am worried about this although do agree re plastic waste. I recently had faulty batch of Vagifem that didn't click properly and didn't work as i had residue leakage which i don't get normally, so am worried that as these ones are not pre loaded they may not be as good.
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Now its off patent and open to other manufacturers, i wonder if they will be able to change the dosage and have a choice of 10mg or 25mg as previously prescibed.
I doubt it. Generics are not required to undergo tests and clinical trials because they are exactly the same as the branded version. The 25 mcg version has been withdrawn from the market to meet the guidelines regarding the lowest dose needed to control symptoms. Actually, there's a 4 mcg version in the pipeline, or probably already marketed in the US which, apparently, is enough for symptoms control.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404400/
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4mcg will definately not be enough for me I'd have to take 12 a week, i darent even think about the irritation caused from that amount of fillers. Although the 25mcg was withdrawn we all know 10mcg x 2 per week was not enough and alot of women still need at least 5 per week, equivalent to the old dose if not more,
very lucrative. Are they now making boxes of 24 x 4mcg at the same price!
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Well 2 weeks in and I can report no problems so far. Easy to load the applicator and no adverse effects.
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Thats good to know, if its cheaper we could all be getting this on prescription soon.
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Deirdre my gp (the one I see about menopause stuff) is excellent and tells me it’s perfectly fine to use as many as I need to feel comfortable. It must be awful to have to fight with your doc to be prescribed this stuff.
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I have to use Vagifem every day, sometimes even needing to double that up for a couple of days.
No way would I manage on 4 mcg a day!
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I have just picked up my prescription and now have the generic version too. Was disturbed when I realised but will see how I get on . How has everyone else been doing on it? I guess spoilt with vagifem and the plastic waste but don’t really want to wash applicator after each use.
Fingers crossed it works as well.
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I’m doing ok on the new brand. I’m actually on a different one again - vagirux or something and things are fine except the applicator in the newest box didn’t work but I’d kept one of the old ones.
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That’s great to hear. Fingers crossed