Counselling, Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)

Question 1

Estalis patch​, SEQUI

• intro

Answer 1

Hi, I’m Alexis, I’m one of the pharmacists, I’ve just dispensed your prescription… Would you like to go somewhere more private to have a chat?

Question 2

Estalis patch​, SEQUI

• Indication/ MOA

Answer 2

• Estalis Sequi is a type of treatment called hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• It is a combination pack consisting of stick-on patches that contain hormones
• After menopause, your body produces much less estrogen than it did before which causes you unpleasant sxs such as hot flushes, night sweats
  
  • contains estradiol & norethisterone
  • estradoil is a normal female hormone it is the same hormone that your ovaries were producing before the menopause
  • norethisterone is a hormone called a progestogen, has effects similar to the female hormone progesterone, which your ovaries also produced before the menopause
• the patch releases estradoil and norethisterone in a continuous way & replaces the hormones that the body no longer makes and prevents or relieves symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats, palpitations just as your ovaries were doing before & will help with your menopausal sxs in the short term

Question 3

Estalis patch, SEQUI

• dose & directions

Answer 3

• there are 8 patches in each box, enough for a 4 week cycle
• you will apply a new patch twice weekly (every 3 or 4 days)
• It is important to use the patches in the correct order (i.e. Weeks 1 & 2 before Weeks 3 & 4).
• Weeks 1 and 2 patches contain estradiol
• Weeks 3 and 4 patches contain estradiol plus norethisterone acetate (NETA)
• Apply to clean, dry skin on your lower abdomen or buttocks
• When changing the patch, remove the old patch and apply a new one to a different place

Question 4

Estalis patch, SEQUI

• adverse effects

Answer 4

• all medicines have side effects but not everyone will experience them
• common side effects include breast enlargement and tenderness, nausea, headache, irregular or breakthrough bleeding, change in libido
• tolerance to adverse effects may develop during the first few months; if possible, wait for 3 months before making any changes to the regimen
• but if they effect you significantly, let your Dr know, the dose can be changed or we can change the medication
• signs of allergy: swelling of the lips, face, rash- refer

Question 5

Estalis patch, SEQUI

• lifestyle/ self care

Answer 5

• try to ensure a healthy diet, adequate sleep & a moderate level of activity, this can help reduce symptom severity
• alcohol and coffee can trigger hot flushes, try avoid this if possible
• Calcium? increase calcium in diet, after menopause women need at least 1300mg calcium/ day for bone health
  
  • dairy foods (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
  • calcium supplement
• dressing in layers and wearing cotton clothes may help with hot flushes, carry around a mini fan??
• ask Dr about unusual sxs (breast lumps, heavy bleeding, painful sex)
• ask Dr about checks for osteoporosis
• ask friends and family for support

Question 6

Angeliq 1/2 tablets

• introduction

Answer 6

• Hi, I’m Alexis, I’m one of the pharmacists, I’ve just dispensed your prescription… Would you like to go somewhere more private to have a chat?

Question 7

Angeliq 1/2 tablets

• indication

Answer 7

• this tablet provides hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the treatment of menopausal symptoms
• contains estradiol, an oestrogen hormone and drospirenone, a progestogen hormone
• After menopause, your body produces much less estrogen than it did before which causes you unpleasant sxs such as hot flushes, night sweats
• the tablet replaces the hormones that the body no longer makes and prevents or relieves symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats, palpitations

Question 8

Angelia 1/2 tablets

• dose & directions

Answer 8

• Take one tablet daily
• take it at the same time each day
• taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect, it will also help you remember when to take it
• it does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food
• Angeliq 1/2 is only intended for short term use
  
  • Your doctor will advise you on how long to use Angeliq 1/2

Question 9

Angeliq 1/2 tablets

• adverse effects

Answer 9

• all medicines have side effects but not everyone will experience them
• common side effects include breast enlargement and tenderness, nausea, headache, irregular or breakthrough bleeding, change in libido
• tolerance to adverse effects may develop during the first few months; if possible, wait for 3 months before making any changes to the regimen
• Angeliq 1/2 has been made to provide you with hormone replacement therapy without cyclical bleeding. You may, however, get some bleeding during the first few months of treatment. It could occur at any time but it is unlikely to be heavy. Bleeding episodes should eventually get less and finally stop
• you may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots including clots in the lungs, and dementia–> dr
• If significant bleeding continues or if at any time bleeding or spotting becomes unacceptable for you, Dr

Question 10

Angeliq 1/2 tablets

• lifestyle/self care

Answer 10

• try to ensure a healthy diet, adequate sleep & a moderate level of activity, this can help reduce symptom severity
• alcohol and coffee can trigger hot flushes, try avoid this if possible
• Calcium? increase calcium in diet, after menopause women need at least 1300mg calcium/ day for bone health
  
  • dairy foods (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
  • calcium supplement
• dressing in layers and wearing cotton clothes may help with hot flushes, carry around a mini fan??
• ask Dr about unusual sxs (breast lumps, heavy bleeding, painful sex)
• ask Dr about checks for osteoporosis
• ask friends and family for support