Elleste Duet

Elleste Duet is an HRT medication which can be used before, during and after menopause. It works by replacing the two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, whose levels drop drastically during that time. Therefore, it may be highly effective for women suffering from menopause symptoms. 

Hormone levels drop as a woman approaches menopause, bringing several uncomfortable or unpleasant symptoms such as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, chills, mood swings, reduced sex drive, night sweats, and slowed metabolism. The symptoms may be eased with hormone replacement therapy or HRT.  

You can buy Elleste Duet online in UK via Click Pharmacy. Elleste Duet is available in 2 strengths: Elleste Duet 1mg and Elleste Duet 2mg in a pack of 84 tablets. Click Pharmacy stocks Elleste Duet, Elleste Solo and a range of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments. Elleste Duet prices may differ according to strengths.

First, you have to complete an online questionnaire. Then, our in-house prescribers will assess it for the eligibility criteria. Once approved for the HRT treatment, you may buy Elleste Duet immediately, even for a repeat prescription. We will quickly send your HRT treatment to your home in discreet delivery through Royal Mail 1st class or next day delivery service.

Elleste Duet is effective even at low doses to relieve post-menopausal symptoms. Depending on your situation and where you are in your menopause journey, you may take it short or long-term. The drug may also effectively prevent osteoporosis for women with a heightened risk of fractures if they cannot take any other form of prevention medication. This can occur as the bone-strengthening and protecting hormone oestrogen decreases during menopause.  

The effects of the Elleste Duet kick in relatively quickly, with many women experiencing the benefits within just a few weeks.  

Elleste Duet may play a massive role in helping women feel better despite being seriously affected by menopause symptoms. By replacing the depleted hormones, the medication helps to stop crippling symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, memory loss and more. In addition, HRT treatments such as Elleste Duet also support menopausal low moods and anxiety.

The two active ingredients in Elleste Duet are a natural form of oestrogen called estradiol hemihydrate (previously oestradiol hemihydrate) and a synthetic form of progesterone called norethisterone acetate.

The inactive ingredients are:

• Lactose monohydrate
• Maise starch
• Povidone 25
• Talc (purified)
• Magnesium stearate

The ingredients in the film-coating material are:

• Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (E464)
• Titanium dioxide (E171)
• Macrogol 400
• Black iron oxide (E172)

If you are allergic to the active and other ingredients, inform your doctor, and they can help you source a safe alternative treatment.

Elleste Duet is a cyclical treatment – the first 16 tablets in a cycle contain estradiol only, and the last 12 tablets contain a combination of estradiol and norethisterone. This causes a regular period and reduces your risk of cancer.

Three types of Elleste Duet are available:

• Elleste Duet 1mg - consists of 16 white tablets containing 1mg estradiol and 12 green tablets containing 1mg norethisterone as well as 1mg estradiol.
• Elleste Duet 2mg - consists of 16 orange tablets containing 2mg estradiol and 12 grey tablets containing 2mg estradiol, and 1mg norethisterone.
• Elleste Duet Conti Tablets- contains 2mg estradiol and 1mg norethisterone in all the white tablets.

Take one tablet daily with a drink, either with or without a meal. Take the tablet at a fixed time each day for best results. Take a missed dose within 12 hours if you remember to take it. Do not double up or take two within 12 hours of each other.

You do not need to take breaks between your packs of Elleste Duet. However, have your treatment reviewed at least once a year to ensure you are still using the best form of medication and receiving the most significant benefits from it.

As menopause approaches, the ovaries produce less oestrogen resulting in symptoms such as night sweats, irregular menstruation patterns and vaginal dryness. Estradiol replaces these lost hormones, helping to ease these issues.

For women who haven't had a hysterectomy, oestrogen causes the growth of the womb lining. If this grows without the progesterone to stop it, the result may be endometrial cancer. Progesterone (norethisterone) is in this combination treatment to combat the risk.

You may take Elleste Duet consecutively every day. However, having this reviewed annually at least once with your GP is highly recommended.

• For the management of menopause, patients will usually be prescribed at least 3 months of treatment.
• In the case of premature menopause, HRT treatments such as Elleste Duet Conti are recommended until normal menopause and around 5 to 10 years after age 50.
• Premenopausal women aged 50+ may be prescribed Elleste Duet for around 5 years to ease menopausal symptoms.

Medications can affect every patient differently. Where one person may only experience the drug's positive effects, someone else may develop one or more issues. Generally, Elleste Duet side effects are mild and short-lived as the body gets used to the new medication. However, if you develop any complications or severe problems after taking HRT medication, contact the doctor immediately or the pharmacist at Click Pharmacy.

The most common Elleste Duet side effects can include thrush, painful periods, problems with the

menstrual cycle, diarrhoea, back pain, stomach cramps, soreness of the breasts, acne, rashes, swelling, migraines, mood swings, itchiness, dry skin, anxiety and weight changes.

A severe condition is rare with HRT. Still, if it happens, it may be jaundice, allergies to the ingredients, heart attack or high blood pressure, DVT, which may manifest as a sore or swollen leg, chest pain and coughing blood. If any of these unlikely events occur, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Stop taking HRT treatment and seek medical attention immediately if you notice early signs of any of the following:

• Blood clots – breathing difficulty, swelling of the legs and pain
• Heart disease – chest pain extending to the neck or arm
• Stroke – blurred vision, migraines
• Liver disease – yellow colouration of the eyes and skin

Carefully read the patient information leaflet, which comes with your prescription for potential side effects. For any concerns or queries, book a free and confidential appointment with one of our pharmacists to discuss this. Contact your GP if the side effects do not disappear after 48 hours.

You must let your doctor know what medications you are already taking, including herbal and over-the-counter treatments, as some medicines could hinder the HRT's effectiveness.

In some situations, HRT, such as Elleste Duet, cannot or should not be prescribed. Elleste Duet warnings include the following:

• Increased risk of oestrogen sensitive cancer
• Suffered from or currently suffer from breast cancer or cancer of the endometrium
• Suffer from liver disease
• Have ever had a blood clot or have a blood clotting disorder
• Have suffered from DVT in the last six months
• Experienced a stroke or a heart attack
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Suffer from liver disease
• Allergic to the active ingredients in Elleste Duet

If you have diabetes, the doctor may adjust your insulin for the new medication. Also, monitor your blood sugar level regularly when taking Elleste Duet. If you find any change, contact your GP as soon as possible.

Inform your GP if you plan to take HRT treatment and have ever had any of the following health complications:

• Fibroids
• Impaired liver function
• Circulation problems
• Uterine problems, including endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia
• Diabetes
• Migraine
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Gallstones
• Epilepsy
• An autoimmune disorder
• A history of severe allergic reactions
• Asthma
• High-fat levels in the blood
• Fluid retention
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Otosclerosis
• A family history of breast cancer or another oestrogen-sensitive cancer

If you stop taking Elleste Duet, you may experience menopausal symptoms coming back. Doctors recommend gradually decreasing HRT dosage. In this case, menopausal symptoms are less likely to return in the short term.

No, Elleste Duet is not addictive, and it does not have withdrawal symptoms. However, menopause symptoms may re-appear if you stop taking it abruptly, so it would be best to reduce the dosage gradually before completely quitting the usage.

You may experience menstrual bleeding at the end of each monthly cycle. Women also experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding during the first few months of treatment.

Yes, some women might experience a delay in their periods when they are on Elleste Duet by taking extra tablets instead of sticking to the typical 28-day cycle. However, doctors do not recommend doing this because of the nature of HRTs such as Elleste Duet.

One of the common side effects of Elleste Duet is weight gain. However, many people experience weight gain during menopause even without taking HRT.

There are various lifestyle changes that you can implement to make a difference in your menopause symptoms. Try the following:

• Avoid consuming caffeine
• Avoid Smoking
• Cut back on alcohol
• Stop eating spicy foods
• Only wear loose and breathable items of clothing
• Exercise regularly
• Increase your vitamin D intake
• Use moisturisers and lubricants for vaginal dryness

These lifestyle changes can decrease the occurrence of hot flashes and night sweats.

The main difference between these HRTs is that Elleste Solo tablets contain only estradiol (oestrogen). On the other hand, Elleste Duet contains both estradiol and norethisterone (oestrogen and progesterone). Since the Elleste Solo tablet does not contain progesterone, it is only suitable for individuals who have had a hysterectomy or people with an intrauterine system (IUS/Mirena coil).

Elleste Duet Conti gives you a steady dose of oestrogen and progestogen daily, meaning you will not get your period every month. In contrast, Elleste Duet only has 16 days of estradiol and 12 days of combined estradiol and norethisterone. This means that Elleste Duet is ideal for women who still have a menstrual cycle, while Elleste Duet Conti is better suited for those who have not gotten a natural period for about 12 months or more.

Various types of HRT are widely accessible. The best alternative to Elleste is Trisequens, as both are quite similar. Trisequens is also an oral form of HRT. However, it contains three different doses of the hormone, while Elleste Duet only contains two separate doses.

In addition to this, you can also find sequential HRT in patch form, like Evorel Sequi. This is ideal for those who suffer side effects from common oral HRTs. Similar to Trisequens, Evorel Sequi contains the same hormones as Elleste Duet, which are estradiol and norethisterone.

On the other hand, Kliovance or Elleste Duet are best for women who have stopped having menstrual periods for at least a year.

Another alternative type of HRT is Tibolone, which goes by the brand name Livial. It is a type of steroid that effectively works by activating the oestrogen and progestogen receptors in the body.

Although HRT is considered the most effective treatment for the symptoms of menopause, some tend to gravitate towards herbal supplements as an alternative. Note that the efficacy of these treatments is unknown. Therefore, speaking to a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of different herbal supplements is essential.

Elleste Duet consists of progestogen and oestrogen. The progestogen hormone is responsible for significantly reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. Due to this, combined HRTs like Elleste Duet are better suited for women with intact wombs. However, it is crucial to consider that taking oestrogen and progesterone together can potentially increase your risk of breast cancer. Although the increase in breast cancer risk is insignificant, it increases with the amount of time you take HRT.