Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Dierdre on September 24, 2023, 08:11:13 AM
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Just had a repeat prescription and got Vagirux, chemist assured me it was the same ingredients as Vagifem. After only two days I felt as if I'd not taken anything and was dry and started burning inside. Last night I inserted the Vagirux and later a Vagifem as well as Ovestin externally and this morning feel a bit better apart from a little irritation probably from too much Ovestin..
I had a one off prescription of Estradiol (no brand name) about a year ago and was fine apart from the applicator that I didn't bother with and applied myself.
I'm just so anxious now as I've had a few months with recurring thrush which caused bladder and atrophy flare ups that I have only just got back under control.
I've read past posts about Vagirux and most are a while ago and mixed opinions.
I know logically there shouldn't be a difference and maybe it's a coincidence or psychological that I've had this sudden change after doing so well and getting back to normal. I wasn't really expecting a difference as I was ok before on the generic one.
Anyone changed over and ok now please?
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It might be the same but many don't have success with Vagriux. Which may be cheaper! I would fill in the yellow card system and ask for 'vagifem' if that is what suits.
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I'm not sure we have a choice, doctors have been told to prescribe this now as it's cheaper.
Have you used it?
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I am still being prescribed Vagifem but I expect not for much longer. The costs of all those applicators will be high compared to one applicator with Vagirux.
I do wonder if it is psychological as the composition of both are the same.
"The preferred brand of estradiol 10 microgram vaginal tablets in the NHSGGC adult formulary has changed from Vagifem® to Vagirux®.
Vagirux® has a lower acquisition cost than Vagifem® in both primary and secondary care.
Vagifem® and Vagirux® have identical composition and are therapeutically equivalent.
Vagirux® is packaged with a single re-usable vaginal applicator per pack of 24 tablets. This should be explained to patients at the point of first prescribing and/or dispensing to prevent inadvertent early disposal of the applicator."
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Yes I've seen that before, it looks like we will all be going that route. I can't understand though if the ingredients are exactly the same there would be a problem. Hopefully someone using it will be along with some reassurances.
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I've used it with no problems. I get one of vagifem, estradiol or vagirux prescribed depending on the prescribing doctor. I've not noticed a difference with any of them
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I use vagirux 5 out 7 days since almost a year ago it’s ok with me x
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Thanks, I'll persevere with it then, maybe it was just a coincidence I had a blip. Used some Dermovate ealier and seems to have settled for now.
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It’s a pain when u don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore,think there are a lot of us like that x
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I've only had one prescription and it said estradiol cream.l, not a specific brand. I was given vagirux and I tried it for 10 days in a row (was meant to do the two week loading dose) and it burned with every application. I wonder if there are different fillers. Or perhaps it is just because I am at the start of treating it. Either way, yes it burned for me but I was lame and gave up.
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I also didn't use the applicator.
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It's probably the fillers. Unless users affected by soreness etc. report on the Yellow Card scheme, GPs will continue to prescribe. I'm afraid if a drug is altered due to being cheaper and if I have side effects, I go into the surgery and have a 2-year old tantrum ;D
MayB put some moisturiser up with it ? or KY Jelly?
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I've only had one prescription and it said estradiol cream.l, not a specific brand. I was given vagirux and I tried it for 10 days in a row (was meant to do the two week loading dose) and it burned with every application. I wonder if there are different fillers. Or perhaps it is just because I am at the start of treating it. Either way, yes it burned for me but I was lame and gave up.
Maybe because you were sore at the start of treatment. Vagirux is a tablet though not cream?
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It’s a pain when u don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore,think there are a lot of us like that x
I know, the symptoms are all the same so it's hard to know where to start. Usually use everything then end up worse. One thing at a time....
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It's probably the fillers. Unless users affected by soreness etc. report on the Yellow Card scheme, GPs will continue to prescribe. I'm afraid if a drug is altered due to being cheaper and if I have side effects, I go into the surgery and have a 2-year old tantrum ;D
MayB put some moisturiser up with it ? or KY Jelly?
The fillers are the same as vagifem
the drug hasn't been altered, it's cheaper because there's only one applicator, this is why I'm confused. I doubt my reporting on the yellow card system will change anything at all. The Covid vaccination reporting verified that!
Going into the surgery to have a rant would release my frustration and I'll probably have to use this if it suits or not, but the receptionist won't be amused and I wouldn't get any further than her. The patients in the waiting room would think I'm an idiot. I would probably then receive a letter asking me to find another practice as mine as zero tolerance for that sort of thing and I'd be no longer registered with them.
Praying it's just a blip and the anxiety has caused this, I've ordered more moisturiser.
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I've only had one prescription and it said estradiol cream.l, not a specific brand. I was given vagirux and I tried it for 10 days in a row (was meant to do the two week loading dose) and it burned with every application. I wonder if there are different fillers. Or perhaps it is just because I am at the start of treating it. Either way, yes it burned for me but I was lame and gave up.
Maybe because you were sore at the start of treatment. Vagirux is a tablet though not cream?
Sorry yes, don't know why I said cream but basically it said estradiol rather than a brand name, which made me think they could give me whatever was in stock at the pharmacy at the time.
It was a very tiny white tablet that I inserted really high. I didn't think i was sore, just dry because it felt tacky when I put my finger there. Perhaps still part of the healing process though.
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If a prescription is written by a med., is it correct for a Pharmacist to substitute without checking with the GP? :-\
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I've only had one prescription and it said estradiol cream.l, not a specific brand. I was given vagirux and I tried it for 10 days in a row (was meant to do the two week loading dose) and it burned with every application. I wonder if there are different fillers. Or perhaps it is just because I am at the start of treating it. Either way, yes it burned for me but I was lame and gave up.
Maybe because you were sore at the start of treatment. Vagirux is a tablet though not cream?
Sorry yes, don't know why I said cream but basically it said estradiol rather than a brand name, which made me think they could give me whatever was in stock at the pharmacy at the time.
It was a very tiny white tablet that I inserted really high. I didn't think i was sore, just dry because it felt tacky when I put my finger there. Perhaps still part of the healing process though.
I've had those before and was ok, just a plain box with Estradiol no brand name. Are you ok now with these?
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No I gave up after 10 days and waiting for GP appointment to request Vagifem. I did increase my estrogel based on advice here though, and that seems to have helped down there too. Sex is easier.
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If a prescription is written by a med., is it correct for a Pharmacist to substitute without checking with the GP? :-\
My prescription has always just said Estradiol never specified Vagifem. My Ovestin prescription says Estriol so I suppose unless the doctor writes the brand name I could get anything.
It shouldn't be a problem unless the product has been altered. I've recently asked for Clobetasol ( 30mg Dermovate) and got a generic one no brand name. The tube was 100mg instead of 30mg but it did the job, I've got twice as much but it expires in 3 month. Are we getting old stock???
I've also asked for Fluconazole recently and got Caneston and then a generic one, the generic one worked quicker and finally not needed another. NHS are using the cheaper options for everything but are they sometimes better?
When I had 2 boxes of generic Estradiol last year the ingredients were identical but I had less irritation than Vagifem. Maybe I can ask for that one if Vagirux don't do the job.
Pengiun,,
There must be slight differences that suit some but not others, we"re all different so that's not surprising.
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Why would a product degrade? Everything for years has had a 'use by' date on, EU regulations. I wouldn't stick to the 3 months that strictly.