Problem getting injectable E

[Lisbeth]

I've been researching since Esradiol Valerate stopped being available. It was produced by PharmaForce Inc. in Ohio. Their product number for it according to my last bottle is 0574-0870-05  According to their website it is not in their product list at all.

I would suggest that those concerned contact them and ask why they stopped making it.

http://www.pharmaforceinc.com

Customer Service

For order placement, product availability, pricing information, order status and other inquiries, our team of professional Customer Service Representatives are here to assist you, Monday through Thursday 8:30am – 6:00pm and Friday – 8:30am – 5:00pm, Eastern time. 
Please call 800-645-1706 or fax 866-597-1991.

In the mean time what is available is DEPO-Estradiol (generic: estradiol cypionate) produced by Pfizer and distributed by Pharmacia & Upjohn.

[Monica Jean]

The Depo brand is what my doc recommends, just purchased my first one yesterday. 

[JoanneB]

I went straight to the source and asked the horse yesterday and found a bit of an answer that I can endorse. According to the FDA drug NDC database, in the USA we are down to only 2 suppliers, and that is only for dilutions of 20 mg/ml and 40 mg/ml. At 10 mg/ml there is only one, the GIANT. PAR pharmaceuticals purchased JHP back in Jan this year. What I've been getting was JHP. My local Walgreens, Rite-Aide, and CVS all said unavailable from the manufacturer when I called yesterday with the PAR NDC.

I figured this is insane. Unavailable! They are all a) Dealing with the same distributor (PAR lists 4 different ones, Walgreens told me they only deal with one of them) or b) I missed or messed something up. Which I figured was being too much of a nice girl making things a little easier bu giving them the NDC number rather then them having to look it up.

So, back to Google, off to the FDA, and Ah-ha! NDC nums also ID the manufacturer not just what it is. So now I have a second number (eventually run by the same people, but worth a shot) plus all three numbers for 20 mg/ml dilutions to call around for. The woman at Walgreens said she tried 20, or maybe was going to, or ask for me to ask the doc first. Whatever! All I know is I have 2 more shots left and I started this whole mess 3 weeks ago and still feel I got almost nowhere besides an order into my Plan B supplier

[KayXo]

Compounding pharmacies, people. It's really simple, they can do it for you.

[JoanneB]

Compounding pharmacies, people. It's really simple, they can do it for you.

And the co$t?  A three month supply cost me $50 at Walgreen's under my insurance. My new insurance, effective 1 Jan, they want to dispense all scripts in excess of 30 days.

[KayXo]

It's usually quite affordable, at least at the pharmacies I know of. But, probably more expensive than the above.

[Cindy Stephens]

I hope this is OK to Post. Not posting how often or how much I take.  Just got my script refill from Stroeheckers in Portland.  10 ML, 40mg/ml 59.95.  7.00 for shipping.  sometimes they charge a modest fee for supplies. No insurance involved.  My Dr. faxes script once per year, after my blood work, then I call for refills as needed.  Called Fri and was here in Tampa on Monday.  Hope this helps.

[JoanneB]

That is a pretty decent sound price for 40mg/ml.

Today I ran around to all the major chains and finally got some result. A bad one but something. Apparently on Back-Order till February! BCBS on their drugs by mail list only lists 20 & 40 mg/ml dilutions. Anything over a 30 day supply I need to go through them now. At the very least I need a new scrip come 1 Jan to submit and see what they tell me

[Mariah]

I got a call on my refill from group health and they say that in regards to delestrogen both of the lower doses has been discontinued. Looks like just the name brand is left with no restock date available for it. It will be interesting to see what the Endo does in response to this.
Mariah

[antonia]

Thought I'd share something relevant that I recently learned:

Up here in Canada it's impossible to get the injections except from compounding pharmacies, had a discussion with my Endo which specialises in HRT and he basically said he would rather have me on pills (despite the fact that I already do 5 injections per day for my diabetes) because the potential variance in quality/composition from compounding pharmacies was too great and posed a greater risk in his opinion than the potential for liver complications from pills.

[KayXo]

I am from Canada, I have been on injectable E from a compounding pharmacy and have had absolutely no problems. They are very reliable, professional and experienced. In fact, since being on injectables, I have felt and looked significantly better as opposed to pills which I took a quite high dose of and nothing like what the results I'm getting right now. VERY satisfied and I disagree with your endo. Does he actually have experience with patients who got injections from compounding pharmacies? I have been tested twice in the last 6-9 months and everything looks fine so far. I have both an Endo (with much experience in the field) and family doctor who approve of this.

[antonia]

I'm happy for you, and I'm just relaying exactly what I was told because I asked for injections rather than than the pills I was already on. I was referred to the doctor in question by my diabetes endo because he's considered an expert in HRT and my diabetes endo was worried that there could be complications and interactions. I'll message you his name in a private msg so you can check his credentials.

I am from Canada, I have been on injectable E from a compounding pharmacy and have had absolutely no problems. They are very reliable, professional and experienced. In fact, since being on injectables, I have felt and looked significantly better as opposed to pills which I took a quite high dose of and nothing like what the results I'm getting right now. VERY satisfied and I disagree with your endo. Does he actually have experience with patients who got injections from compounding pharmacies? I have been tested twice in the last 6-9 months and everything looks fine so far. I have both an Endo (with much experience in the field) and family doctor who approve of this.

[JoanneB]

I heard from the pharmacy they can now get 40 mg/ml dilution. I called the doc, they changed the script. Now Horizon BCBS refused to pay because a) I am a male and b) Pre-Aurthorization is needed. AAARGH  Time for yet another anxiety attacck as I feed the paperwork monster

Plan C is a pharm in Portland with "Bio-Identical E" (see above). At 1/10th the cost.... Tis Joisey girl sure is nervous. Suzanne SUmmers and Bio-Identicals. OK, but....

I hate my life. Can I leave now?

[Eva]

I cant get 10mg/ml or 20mg/ml anywhere

[Miharu Barbie]

In the 8 years I've been with Kaiser Oregon, I have never once had any difficulty getting 40mg/ml Delestrogen through their mail order pharmacy.  I received my most recent refill just before Christmas.

Unfortunately, as of January 1st, my employer has switched over to Providence Health.  On the plus side, my new doctor is a trans woman.  I have my first appointment with her 2 weeks from today.

[Mariah]

That is what prompted my doctor to switch me over to Depo Estradiol instead.

I cant get 10mg/ml or 20mg/ml anywhere

[Eva]

I might end up back on Depo-E too... Its Estradoil Cypionate, different than Estradoil Valarete... Ive been on both and I prefer EV... Im not sure I can even go with my injections every five days as prescribed with 40mg/ml Delestrogen if I can even get it, sure would be a TINY shot... This SUCKS I was really happy with my script for about 3 months and now it will change again, haven't made it more than three months on any specific HRT regime  

Waiting for my docs decision, I just tested 637 pg/ml 3 days after my last shot and T was 7.1 ng/dl.... That should be a peak level, hopefully not too high for him because I feel like Ive been doing great on my HRT...  I have about two weeks of Delestrogen left here... Im fine with shots every five days, cant go longer than that without feeling bad before the next shot....

[Mariah]

So far I haven't even made it 3 months on any one HRT regimen either. This will be the third different one since starting on 9/20 let alone the dosage changes while on Estradiol Valerate. This will be my first time on Estradiol Cypionate.
Mariah

I might end up back on Depo-E too... Its Estradoil Cypionate, different than Estradoil Valarete... Ive been on both and I prefer EV... Im not sure I can even go with my injections every five days as prescribed with 40mg/ml Delestrogen if I can even get it, sure would be a TINY shot... This SUCKS I was really happy with my script for about 3 months and now it will change again, haven't made it more than three months on any specific HRT regime  

Waiting for my docs decision, I just tested 637 pg/ml 3 days after my last shot and T was 7.1 ng/dl.... That should be a peak level, hopefully not too high for him because I feel like Ive been doing great on my HRT...  I have about two weeks of Delestrogen left here... Im fine with shots every five days, cant go longer than that without feeling bad before the next shot....

[PrincessDayna]

Update: Even Walgreens couldnt get the valerate- its on some non ending loop order with no explination....so yeah, shortage. Went to my endo last week on this and they put me on cypionate, exact same dose that the valerate was- and now my headache is doing a conversion on doseage from the valerate to cypionate....as apparently, cypionate stays in the blood longer? ~11 days, where as valerate stays in only ~7/8 days MAX.  That said the same dose would equate to a risk to take, due to the amount in halflife statying in system would increase the ng/dL massively, to danger zone levels. Dont really feel like shortening my life down to this week because the amount of valerate was already high as it is which means the cypionate would be skyrocket.  That said, yes, you can get cyp as a replacement: but be sure your endo knows the dose conversion due to halflife differences which effects metabolic properties- or you can inadvertently end up taking a bad dose of cyp.  So now I either find a conversion chart online, which makes sense, or I call the endo tomorrow (back up plan) if I cannot find out said info. Le Sigh. The no estradiol continues, and it sucks even more because i got two vials in front of me while i twiddle my thumbs and riddle hunt! Any pointing in right direction would help tremendously.

[Lady_Oracle]

Compounding pharmacies, people. It's really simple, they can do it for you.

this ^ I just got my new prescription (estradiol valerate 40mg/ml) a week ago.