Elleste Solo

First of all, thank you for choosing Numan. If your prescription request for Elleste Solo 1mg or 2mg tablets has been accepted, or if you considering whether this treatment may be suitable for you, we'd like to help you learn how to use it to its best effect, and give you some important information before you start taking it.

Elleste Solo is an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablet. Its active ingredient is estradiol (as estradiol hemihydrate), which is a body-identical form of the female hormone oestrogen, meaning it is chemically the same as the oestrogen the body produces naturally.

It is available in both 1mg and 2mg tablet strengths. Your prescribing clinician will help you to decide which is the most suitable dose for you.

Elleste Solo is used to relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. It is also licensed for the prevention of osteoporosis after menopause in women who are at a high risk of future fractures, and for whom other preventative treatments are not suitable.

Progestogen Requirement: If you have a uterus, you must also take a separate progestogen to protect your womb lining. Speak to your healthcare provider for further advice if you are unsure.

Many women notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks of starting treatment. However, it can sometimes take up to three months for your body to adjust and for you to feel the full benefits.

Take one tablet daily by mouth, at the same time each day. Follow the direction of the arrows on the pack and take one tablet each day until the pack is empty. All the tablets are the same, and the days of the week are marked on the strip to help you remember to take one each day. When you finish a foil strip, you should start a new strip on the next day.

If you're still having regular periods, take your first tablet on the first day of bleeding. If you are not having regular periods, you can start taking this medication straight away.

If you are changing from a cyclical or continuous sequential HRT preparation, you should complete the cycle and may then change to Elleste Solo without a break in therapy. If you are changing from a continuous combined HRT preparation, you may start therapy at any time if you have no longer have periods, or otherwise start on the first day of bleeding.
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​Missed Dose: If you forget to take a tablet and less than 12 hours have passed since your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed tablet and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose. Always take this medicine exactly as instructed, and check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

Treatment usually starts with the 1mg dose of Elleste Solo, increased to 2mg if needed after review by your clinician. The goal of HRT is always to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to manage your symptoms.

There are no special dosage requirements for elderly patients, though experience in treating women over 65 years is limited. This medicine is not for use in children.

Pregnancy: Elleste Solo is not a contraceptive and is intended for use only in post-menopausal women. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice on this. If you become pregnant while taking it, you must stop the medication immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

Breastfeeding: Elleste Solo is not indicated during breastfeeding.

It is crucial to understand that if you have not had a hysterectomy (i.e., you still have your womb), you must take a separate progestogen hormone alongside Elleste Solo. This is typically prescribed for 12 to 14 days each month. This is a vital safety measure to protect the lining of your womb from the effects of oestrogen, which, when taken alone, can lead to a build-up of the lining (endometrial hyperplasia) and increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

Common side effects of treatment with Elleste Solo can include headache, nausea, breast tenderness, changes in weight, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly in the first few months of treatment. These side effects often settle down as your body adjusts, usually within the first three to six months. Like all oral systemic forms of HRT, Elleste Solo is associated with a small increased risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism), stroke, and breast cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer may also be slightly increased. These risks are generally small and depend on factors like your age, medical history, and how long you take HRT for. For a full list of side effects, please see the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your medication and also linked at the bottom of this page.

Your clinician will review your treatment after three months to check how you’re responding. After that, you should have a check-up at least once a year. These reviews will assess whether HRT is still right for you, make sure your symptoms are under control, ask about any side effects and vaginal bleeding, request a check of your weight and your blood pressure, and decide if you need further tests such as a bone density scan. You should also examine your breasts regularly, and make sure to attend all routine screening appointments such as mammograms and cervical screening, if applicable to you. If you have a premature menopause, the risks of using HRT may be different, which you should discuss with your clinician.

You should stop taking Elleste Solo immediately and consult your doctor if you experience any of the following: signs of a blood clot (e.g. painful swelling in the leg), a swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives, together with difficulty breathing which are suggestive of an angioedema, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), a significant increase in your blood pressure, the new onset of a migraine-type headache, or if you become pregnant. When you and your clinician decide it is time to stop HRT, the dose is often reduced gradually to help prevent your menopausal symptoms from returning suddenly.

If you have any of the following conditions, or if you’ve had them before, especially if they worsened during pregnancy or previous hormone treatment, you should be closely monitored while taking Elleste Solo. These conditions may return or become worse during treatment, particularly:

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Keep out of reach of children.

If you have questions about your medication, wish to discuss alternative treatment plans, or need reassurance, our clinicians are available to provide expert advice and support. Just email us at [email protected].

Lastly, please read the Patient Information Leaflet linked below and included with your treatment for a full list of side effects, contraindications, and precautions.