How to Stop Estrace
Estrace is an estrogen-based hormone treatment doctor's sometimes prescribe to assist women through the hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause. Prolonged hormone treatment can increase your chances of certain health risks, including blood clots, cancer, heart attack and stroke. These risks can be increased if you smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes or high triglycerides. If you are using Estrace and would like to stop, talk to your doctor beforehand to discuss the risks associated with suddenly stopping your treatment.
Instructions
-
-
1
Lower your normal dosage to the next lowest dosage. Take the lower dosage for three to four weeks so your body has time to adjust to the decrease in hormones.
-
2
Repeat the lowering of your dosage, going to the next lowest level for two to three weeks. Follow this regimen until you reach the lowest dosage.
-
-
3
Taper off the lowest dosage of Estrace by switching over to every other day use after two weeks. Spend one week taking Estrace every other day, and then begin taking every third day.
-
4
Stop taking Estrace completely after you've taken your dose every third day for one to two weeks.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Some patients may be able to stop taking Estrace cold turkey. One of the side effects of stopping cold turkey is the return of hormone associated symptoms of menopause. The discomfort of these symptoms can be avoided by tapering off your Estrace slowly.
Work closely with your doctor to form the best strategy for tapering off your Estrace.
Patients who've been diagnosed with invasive breast or uterine cancer should stop taking Estrace cold turkey.
