Drug reference

Ethinylestradiol

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 824

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Short-term treatment of symptoms of oestrogen deficiency | Osteoporosis prophylaxis if other drugs cannot be used ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult (female): 10–50 micrograms daily for 21 days, repeated after 7-day tablet-free period, to be given with progestogen for 12–14 days per cycle in women with intact uterus. Female hypogonadism ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult (female): 10–50 micrograms daily usually on cyclical basis, initial oestrogen therapy should be followed by combined oestrogen and progestogen therapy. Menstrual disorders ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult (female): 20–50 micrograms daily from day 5 to 25 of each cycle, to be given with progestogen, added either throughout the cycle or from day 15 to 25. Palliative treatment of prostate cancer ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult (male): 0.15–1.5 mg daily.

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Contra Indications

Active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. angina or myocardial infarction). Acute porphyrias p. 1120. history of breast cancer. history of venous thromboembolism. liver disease (where liver function tests have failed to return to normal) . oestrogen-dependent cancer. thrombophilic disorder. undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. untreated endometrial hyperplasia CONTRA-INDICATIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION ▶Hormone replacement therapy For more information on contra-indications for hormone replacement therapy see Sex hormones p. 790 ▶Combined hormonal contraception For more information on contra-indications for ethinylestradiol in combined hormonal contraception see combined hormonal contraceptives p. 840

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Cautions

Cardiovascular disease (risk of ﬂuid retention). diabetes (increased risk of heart disease). history of breast nodules or ﬁbrocystic disease—closely monitor breast status (risk of breast cancer). history of endometrial hyperplasia. history of hypertriglyceridaemia (increased risk of pancreatitis). hypophyseal tumours. increased risk of gall-bladder disease. migraine (migraine-like headaches). presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (increased risk of thrombotic events). prolonged exposure to unopposed oestrogens may increase risk of developing endometrial cancer. risk factors for oestrogen-dependent tumours (e.g. breast cancer in ﬁrst-degree relative). risk factors for venous thromboembolism. symptoms of endometriosis may be exacerbated. uterine ﬁbroids may increase in size CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION ▶Combined hormonal contraception For more information on cautions for ethinylestradiol in combined hormonal contraception see combined hormonal contraceptives p. 840 ▶Hormone replacement therapy For more information on cautions for hormone replacement therapy see Sex hormones p. 790

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: hormone replacement therapy

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Side Effects

Breast abnormalities. cervical mucus increased. cholelithiasis. contact lens intolerance. depression. electrolyte imbalance. embolism and thrombosis. erythema nodosum. feminisation. ﬂuid retention. headaches. hypertension. jaundice cholestatic . metrorrhagia. mood altered. myocardial infarction. nausea. neoplasms. skin reactions. stroke. uterine disorders. vomiting. weight change SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Cyclical HRT (where a progestogen is taken for 12–14 days of each 28-day oestrogen treatment cycle) usually results in regular withdrawal bleeding towards the end of the progestogen. Continuous combined HRT commonly produces irregular breakthrough bleeding in the ﬁrst 4–6 months of treatment. Bleeding beyond 6 months or after a spell of amenorrhoea requires further investigation to exclude serious gynaecological pathology.

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Pregnancy

Not known to be harmful.

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Breast Feeding

Avoid until weaning or for 6 months after birth (adverse effects on lactation).

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Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution; avoid in acute or active disease.

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: tablet, capsule, oral suspension Tablet ▶Ethinylestradiol (Non-proprietary) Ethinylestradiol 2 microgram Ethinylestradiol 2microgram tablets | 100 tablet P £200.00 Ethinylestradiol 10 microgram Ethinylestradiol 10microgram tablets | 21 tablet P £200.00 DT = £200.00 Ethinylestradiol 50 microgram Ethinylestradiol 50microgram tablets | 21 tablet P £200.00 DT = £200.00 Ethinylestradiol 1 mg Ethinylestradiol 1mg tablets | 28 tablet P £200.00 DT = £200.00

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Dose text by age group

Adult (female)

10–50 micrograms daily for 21 days,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (female)

10–50 micrograms daily usually on

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (female)

20–50 micrograms daily from day 5 to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (male)

0.15–1.5 mg daily.

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Ethinylestradiol

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 824

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 824

Contra Indications

PDF page 824

Cautions

PDF page 824

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: hormone replacement therapy

PDF page 824

Side Effects

PDF page 824

Pregnancy

Not known to be harmful.

PDF page 824

Breast Feeding

Avoid until weaning or for 6 months after birth (adverse effects on lactation).

PDF page 824

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution; avoid in acute or active disease.

PDF page 824

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 824

Dose text by age group

Adult (female)

10–50 micrograms daily for 21 days,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (female)

10–50 micrograms daily usually on

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (female)

20–50 micrograms daily from day 5 to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Adult (male)

0.15–1.5 mg daily.

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 824

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.