Estrodiol Valerate shortage?

[Leeloo_Dallas]

So I was just recently prescribed Estrodiol Valerate 40mg/ml 5mg vials.  I'm switching over from Estrodiol pills.  Problem I'm running into now is Walgreens, Fry's, and CVS all do not carry Estrodiol Valerate injectables currently.  Something about their distributors not having the availability anymore.

So.. now what?  Has anyone else run into a non-availability of Estrodiol Valerate at their local pharmacy?

[KayXo]

So I was just recently prescribed Estrodiol Valerate 40mg/ml 5mg vials.

40 mg/ml, 5 ML NOT mg for a total of 200 mg EV.

Problem I'm running into now is Walgreens, Fry's, and CVS all do not carry Estrodiol Valerate injectables currently.  Something about their distributors not having the availability anymore.

So.. now what?  Has anyone else run into a non-availability of Estrodiol Valerate at their local pharmacy?

Why not try a compounding pharmacy?
http://www.womensinternational.com/
http://www.collegepharmacy.com/
www.anazaohealth.com/

[Jessie Ann]

I just had my prescription filled by Costco. It took 2 days for it to come in but I got it without a problem. Hope that helps.

[Leeloo_Dallas]

Lol, what doesn't Costco sell!  Didn't think of them.  Ill give that a shot.

I just had my prescription filled by Costco. It took 2 days for it to come in but I got it without a problem. Hope that helps.

[Rachel]

I get delestrogen at Walgreens. 40 mg/ml 5 ml vile for 200 mg per vile. The Walgreens is next to my PCP and a door connects the two. 

[Jessie Ann]

Lol, what doesn't Costco sell!  Didn't think of them.  Ill give that a shot.

Glad to be of help. Just remember it does come in the economy 1 gal size    ........

Not really....

[Leeloo_Dallas]

My Walgreens told me just this morning that their distributor no longer carries Delestrogen.

I get delestrogen at Walgreens. 40 mg/ml 5 ml vile for 200 mg per vile. The Walgreens is next to my PCP and a door connects the two.

[Madeline182]

I'm being told by CVS that it (40mg 5ml) has been discontinued.  Just left a message to have my doctor call me.  I've been trying to get this refilled for 2 weeks and beyond stressed out at this point.   /:

[KayXo]

Contact compounding pharmacies.

[Jessica Merriman]

One of the reason I am glad to be on Depo Estradiol (Estradiol Cypionate). Never had a shortage or any other problem.

[Leeloo_Dallas]

Ok, so as of today I have contacted pharmacists at Costco, Walmart, Frys, CVS, and Walgreens.  All of these pharmacies have told me directly that they can no longer get Estradiol Valerate, or Delestrogen brand in any concentration. 

As far as compounding options go.  Because I live in the state of Arizona, Stroheckers will not ship here.  I also was advised by my endocrinologist that compounding although an alternative is less advised than remaining on estradiol pills for the time being. 

I'm curious to hear why the manufacturers of injectable estrogen have halted production.  If major pharmacies are discontinuing the product I would be cautious using them even if they were available elsewhere.   

[Jessica Merriman]

I'm curious to hear why the manufacturers of injectable estrogen have halted production

They haven't. Estradiol Cypionate that I am on is still very available. I inject it once a week and have had zero ups and downs seen with the two week injections.

[Rachel]

I am in Philadelphia and have no issue getting delestrogen. Although, the pharmacy I go to has thousands of trans customers.

[Mariah]

Ok, so as of today I have contacted pharmacists at Costco, Walmart, Frys, CVS, and Walgreens.  All of these pharmacies have told me directly that they can no longer get Estradiol Valerate, or Delestrogen brand in any concentration. 

As far as compounding options go.  Because I live in the state of Arizona, Stroheckers will not ship here.  I also was advised by my endocrinologist that compounding although an alternative is less advised than remaining on estradiol pills for the time being. 

I'm curious to hear why the manufacturers of injectable estrogen have halted production.  If major pharmacies are discontinuing the product I would be cautious using them even if they were available elsewhere.

Estradiol Cypionate is readily available. I switched to it when I couldn't get Estradiol Valerate any more. My Endo had no problems making the switch at my request once we couldn't get a hold of the other. Based on the company that manufactures it I doubt it would ever disappear.
Mariah

[Leeloo_Dallas]

Thank you for the Estradiol Cypionate suggestion.  I'm contacting my doctor to see if he can rewrite the script.  Never expected I would run into this issue, it's a bit irritating...

[Mariah]

Tell me about it. I was irritated when this happened to me, but it happens and life goes on. You will make it through this smoothly and who knows your body may respond better to the new injection instead.
Mariah

Thank you for the Estradiol Cypionate suggestion.  I'm contacting my doctor to see if he can rewrite the script.  Never expected I would run into this issue, it's a bit irritating...

[Jessie Ann]

Ok, so as of today I have contacted pharmacists at Costco, Walmart, Frys, CVS, and Walgreens.  All of these pharmacies have told me directly that they can no longer get Estradiol Valerate, or Delestrogen brand in any concentration.......

That is really strange about Costco because I was able to pick mine up last Monday and I am in So Cal.  Maybe they are using a different supplier?  I have placed an order for a 3 months' supply (3 vials) through my insurance company's on-line pharmacy (which based on my actual prescription would last much longer) I should find out about that order in the next couple of days.  If that goes through I will be able to get my E for about $20 for the year.

[Ltl89]

I'm not sure if this helps, but I've had no issues getting depo estradiol (estradiol cypionate).  It may not be the same as estradiol valerate and different thing work on different people, but I have no complaints with that form of injections.

Anyway, I'm sorry that its been so hard to find your medication.  I'm surprised to read this as I wouldn't have expected for a hormone to be short in supply.  Hope it works out in the end for everyone.

[Eva]

I get my EV 20mg/ml 5 ml vial compounded at Stroheckers, my insurance wont pay for compounded meds though but its still cheaper than the copay I had when I was on EC (Depo Estrogen)   I get my other scripts done at Targets pharmacy and I started on Delestrogen 10mg/ml 5ml vial, then that was "discontinued", then 20mg/ml 5ml vial then that too was discontinued I was there the other day and since I still have script for it I asked if they could fill it in 10 or 20mg/ml.... NO, they had told me months ago it should be available in March 2015... Nada and they couldn't tell me when or even if it would ever be available  

WTF How can such a vital med just be "discontinued", I mean as much as they were getting for it its not likely they weren't making $$$ on it...  Its not some exotic med either so I dont get it literally, It really sucks

[KayXo]

One of the reason I am glad to be on Depo Estradiol (Estradiol Cypionate). Never had a shortage or any other problem.

What I personally don't like about Estradiol Cypionate is that I suspect that it may be somewhat harmful in terms of clotting. The reason being that... (and, no, I'm not a doctor, BUT)

at the same dose of EC (Estradiol Cypionate) and EV (Estradiol Valerate), they yield about the same levels of estradiol and yet EC doses prescribed for the same condition in ciswomen compared to EV doses are 10x less which would suggest EC does not only affect estrogen receptors through converting to estradiol after the ester is cleaved (cypionate) but that EC acts unchanged with its ester still present on estrogen receptors, therefore potentially overstimulating receptors, much like ethinyl estradiol does. Not good.