Are you using the brand name? .1 mg Vivelle dot

Hormone Therapy

Hi, are you using the brand name prescription for the HRT patch? May I ask why?

Some more information-

I am currently using the brand name after having some issues like redness on skin where patch was applied and my joint pain symptoms were worse as well. However the first time I tried the brand name was also the higher estrogen level. I went from .025 to .05 to .1 and started using the brand name at .1.

The brand-name prescription is much more expensive than the generic. Do you feel that you need the brand name? Why do you like it better?

I am trying to figure out if I should give the generic a try again.

The generic is less than half the cost of the brand-name.

Thank you!!

Edit: I have had better results with brand name Vivelle Dot .1 patch. I am considering switching off patch to femring. Search this thread for more info on femring. Seems that some individuals find at the end of two months it is less effective. Looking for any input on your experience with femring. Thanks!

in Menopauseby rhoditine

100%

13d

empathetic_witch

Peri-menopausal Hell

13d

The generic was so inconsistent dosage and effectiveness wise that I was throwing away at least 1 patch per box. Most of the time 2-3. Joint pain was the biggest issue that tipped me off.

I’m on .075 Vivelle Dot now & have been since December.

Ambitious-Job-9255

13d

The joint pain is awful!!

empathetic_witch

Peri-menopausal Hell

13d

The joint pain serves as my reminder that I need to change my patch, as well.

I’m in the roller coaster “will I or won’t I have a period this month” perimenopause phase. My last period was April 1st. This one started last night.

It’s awful because I have PMDD & peri has made that WAY worse 😞 Even when I don’t have a period, PMDD rears its ugly head & would shove me into the pit of despair.

I’ve had to take 1 day off per month (minimum) and it’s almost always last minute since it’s so unpredictable. Sigh. I think my psych NP and I have the mental health portion dialed in (crossing fingers).

It’s the other symptoms that are still rough:

Diminished or ravenous appetite, awful cramps, headaches (woke up with one the last 4 mornings), joint & muscle pain, hot flashes/night sweats & nausea.

Hip & back pain, painful acne on the back & sides of my neck, jawline & spots here & there on my face.

The new one this month is terrible dizziness 😞

Ambitious-Job-9255

13d

That sounds awful!!! I went into surgical menopause in early March when I had a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy (took the ovaries since I’m almost 49) and will manage with HRT. I see my doctor on Wednesday and might talk about increasing my dose even more. I also added back in some micronized progesterone the last two nights after reading it can help with bones and sleep as well. I’ve got compounded T in board as well for the past month. Fasten your seatbelt 😝 we can do this!!

rhoditine

13d

I’m sorry. I have an IUD so I don’t get periods. But I remember what it was like before the IUD. Take care.

empathetic_witch

Peri-menopausal Hell

13d

I wish I could have tolerated the Mirena. Things would be so much easier.

I’ve had 2 placed 2008-2010, then 2022 for 6 months). Each Mirena started to adhere to my uterine lining.

Candymom

13d

I use the generic Dotti and am happy with it

Puppersnme

13d

My insurance doesn't cover estrogen, so I use Goodrx/Wellrx coupons, go wherever is cheapest, and get what they have. It varies (Dotti, Mylan, Lyllana), but usually generic. I have extremely sensitive skin and have not had any issues with the twice weekly patches, but couldn't tolerate the adhesive in the once weekly kind at all.

mamakazi

13d

I use whatever my pharmacy has, and it varies. Right now generic but I have used Dotti in the past. Same cost for me.

Whowouldve-thought

13d

To date I have tried approximately 8 different estrogen patches including name brands (all .1 strength). Initially I used the generic from Mylan for several months, then my pharmacy refilled me with a generic from Sandoz which irritated my skin something awful. And by irritate I mean starting to turn red underneath within 20 minutes. If I left it any longer than that the skin would get chemical burns and fall off. Months later I would have brown, bruise like marks everywhere I had put the patch. So, I went back to Mylan but by then it was too late, I guess I developed an overall sensitivity to adhesives.

From there I tried multiple others including paying $250 out of pocket for Vivelle dot, which irritated my skin just as much. My doctor then suggested I try spraying Flonase on my skin before applying the patch (cortisone did nothing). To my surprise...it worked. BUT that that's when I switched to Dotti generic so I'm not sure if it was the Flonase working or the change in brands. I was good for another few months and then all hell broke loose again. I tried other generics, other name brands, double the Flonase, prescription 2.5% cortisone, considered witchcraft lol, you name it! Finally, I took a two month break from the patch. I tried pill form and gel form. Anything that doses me all at once gives me major migraines. I tried the spray form but it turned my nipples bright purple and three times the size. So...I hobbled along using the gel form off label, applying it 4 times a day (even though my doc said not to) as to not dose myself at all at once. I still got headaches about every four days and the effectiveness was not near as good for sleep or for hot flashes. I went back to the patch and the sensitivity had subsided, although it only took a month to become allergic again. Back to the gel....

Phase 54 of this journey....after another two month break I went back to the patch and I'm using it on my arm, rotating it between my bicep, shoulder, and the underside of my arm. I know it's off label but for some reason it's not irritating me up there. Anything at my waist or below (even my legs and rear) is an instant reaction. Sleep is much better, night hot flashes are maybe one per every four days, and irritation is gone. Oddly, right after starting the arm I got a yeast infection and have felt extremely tired. idk if I'm absorbing more or less from the arm location. It's a journey. I don't plan to bother my doc to tell her I put it on my arm until I give it two months to see if I develop irritation there. A couple of months of off label use won't kill me and it will save me a $150 doc visit until I figure out on my own if this works.

I have not noticed any difference in effectiveness between the generics and brand names. I also know that for me there's no difference in the irritation. They all irritate my skin. I am currently on Dotti because it's the smallest one I've found. I'd rather have the least amount of surface space with adhesive on my skin. Good luck and I hope this helps you on your journey!!

rhoditine

12d

Gosh I am so sorry. Be well.

Broad-Ad1033

13d

I have read that the generic is not as good. I find this with many of my medications and I have my dr request Brand name only

Ambitious-Job-9255

13d

I didn’t like the dotti patches. I was on .075% after my hysterectomy and my estradiol levels were still super low at 5.4. I recently bumped up to .1 and ask for any brand other than dotti. I have read here that they aren’t as effective and I agree.