cutting hormone patches ?

I have read two posts which said our HysterSister cut the estrogen patch to reduce the dose. I had thought this was a good idea too , but my pharmacist said this would mess up the delivery of the hormone. I don't know if he is correct or not, but perhaps getting a new prescription for a lower dose would work?

Lynn

LAVH.BSO anterior posterior and enterocele repair 6/9/03

Hi Lynn!

I think it depends on the type of patch. If you're on one with a "matrix" delivery system, it will mess with the patch delivery. I'm on the Vivelle Dot, though, and my dr. has said it's fine to cut them.

HI! I have been on Climara (once a week patch). The pharmacist also said that cutting the patch would mess up the dosage, but I have read (on this website) that women have done it. I just switched back to a lower dosage, but first asked my doctor and nurse for plenty of samples! Don't hesitate to ask for samples, they're free and will save you quite of co-pay money. To request lowering or increasing the dosage, depending on your doctor, can be done by phone. A doctor's visit for that stuff is usually a waste of their time, they would rather see you if you're really sick. Increasing the dosage really made my breast tender, that's why I am switching back to 0.050.
Good luck, and keep me informed!
Ikoyi

My doctor also said it was ok to cut the patches. He gave me lower dose samples of Vivelle dot patches to try and said if they work well, just to cut my old ones in half.

s
Cat

Hi, guys!

Lynn, I took the liberty of moving your post to the Hormone Jungle , where I think you'll get even more answers.

I've not heard of women cutting the Climara, but many of us have cut up the Vivelle without too much trouble, as you see from the responses. If your patch is a "reservoir" type, where the medication is stored in a central spot and not in the adhesive itself, you can't cut it. It doesn't really matter what the dose is; rather it's the brand and type that are the difference.

Hope this helps!



Audrey

there seems to be a difference of opinion among docs as to whether you can cut it..i'm on Climera.....my question is...WHY cant you cut it? wouldnt it just give you half the dosage? .....thanks!!!...

Talk with your pharmacist, although I've only heard of the Vivelle being cut, not the Climara. Since the Vivelle has the hormone evenly spread within the adhesive, cutting does give you a more or less accurate dose; since I'm not familiar with how the Climara patch is constructed, I wouldn't be able to tell you. But the pharmacists should know!



Audrey

Perhaps this will help?:

http://www.geocities.com/NoLinks/estsupp.htm#climara

I have cut patches on occasion as a stopgap measure until I could get a new prescription filled... I don't recommended it long term but IMHO it's preferable to not using anything, as long as you are using one of the matrix type patches (like Climara, Vivelle dot, Esclim, Fempatch and Alora) and not a reservoir patch like the Estraderm.

When in doubt, always ask your DR!


-Linda