Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Eve of chaos on February 27, 2012, 01:16:31 AM

Title: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Eve of chaos on February 27, 2012, 01:16:31 AM
I just stumbled across this method and want to give it a try. ive just been swallowing my pills but take it under the tongue sounds like itl be better.

anyway I'm not sure if my pills are micronized or not for this. I cant find anything about it on the label or anything.

all i see it "take one tablet by mouth everyday"

and under it it says "estradiol (my dosage)"
                                "Generic for estrace (my dosage)"

thats honestly all I can find. they are little blue pills with a b or a p in them lol

does anyone know how I can tell? yeah yeah I can ask my doctor or pharmacist but i feel like theres an easy way to tell so I dont have to drive all the way up to the kmart to ask.

and out of curiosity. what about taking the spiro under the tongue?


Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 01:35:00 AM
I wouldn't even try taking Spiro under the tongue. it tastes bad enough swallowing it, and is supposed to be swallowed.


As for Teva Pharmaceuticals Generic brand Estradiol 1/2 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets, yes they ARE micronized and should therefore be able to be used under the tongue
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tevausa.com%2Fassets%2Fbase%2Fproducts%2Fimage%2FE-G%2Festr0887.jpg&hash=fafef338ff2afa1d8c054bb3f001100737885395)click on the pills to see their company page (http://www.tevausa.com/default.aspx?pageid=3364&sortby=BrandName&BrandName=Estrace%C2%AE+Tablets&ProductName=Estradiol+Tablets%2c+USP)

further scientific data on these pills:
"Estradiol Tablets USP for oral administration contains 0.5, 1 or 2 mg of micronized estradiol per tablet. Estradiol (17β-estradiol) is a white, crystalline solid, chemically described as estra-1,3,5,(10)-triene-3, 17β-diol."
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=c4936878-1643-4e7f-9b0d-e4957935aef2 (http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=c4936878-1643-4e7f-9b0d-e4957935aef2)
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Eve of chaos on February 27, 2012, 01:52:08 AM
Perfect!
That's everything I needed to know! Thanks!
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Maja.V on February 27, 2012, 02:10:38 AM
Once you slip it under the tongue, if it turns into chalky-like thing after a few minutes, it's dissolvable. If you get granules (small round bits) rolling under your tongue, it's not, and should be swallowed.

Usually micronised pills are only 17-beta-estradiol ones, all others should be swallowed (concerning the usual MTF HRT, at least).
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on February 27, 2012, 10:28:04 AM
Is there more benefit by taking the oestrogen pills under your tongue than swallowing them?
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 10:58:32 AM
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on February 27, 2012, 10:28:04 AM
Is there more benefit by taking the oestrogen pills under your tongue than swallowing them?

on another thread on here, it was mentioned that taking them by swallowing only gives roughly 50% potency, due to the digestive process before they get to the liver and processed into your system.

Under the tongue gives around 80% potency due to the miconized particles passing right through the skin of the tongue and bypassing the digestive tract, like patches.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Keaira on February 27, 2012, 11:59:54 AM
Quote from: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 01:35:00 AM
I wouldn't even try taking Spiro under the tongue. it tastes bad enough swallowing it, and is supposed to be swallowed.


As for Teva Pharmaceuticals Generic brand Estradiol 1/2 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets, yes they ARE micronized and should therefore be able to be used inguinally (under the tongue)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tevausa.com%2Fassets%2Fbase%2Fproducts%2Fimage%2FE-G%2Festr0887.jpg&hash=fafef338ff2afa1d8c054bb3f001100737885395)click on the pills to see their company page (http://www.tevausa.com/default.aspx?pageid=3364&sortby=BrandName&BrandName=Estrace%C2%AE+Tablets&ProductName=Estradiol+Tablets%2c+USP)

further scientific data on these pills:
"Estradiol Tablets USP for oral administration contains 0.5, 1 or 2 mg of micronized estradiol per tablet. Estradiol (17β-estradiol) is a white, crystalline solid, chemically described as estra-1,3,5,(10)-triene-3, 17β-diol."
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=c4936878-1643-4e7f-9b0d-e4957935aef2 (http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=c4936878-1643-4e7f-9b0d-e4957935aef2)

Mine look just like these, only teal-colored.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: TraciMC on February 27, 2012, 12:31:32 PM
I feel so dumb. I've been on HRT for over 14 years (and started with the pills in 1997) and I never heard of this way of taking the pills.  And although I switched to injections and then mostly to transdermal gel application, I still have a regular estradiol pill prescription to supplement things.  I'm going to have to ask my endo about this; this sounds a lot better for my liver than just swallowing them.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Alyx. on February 27, 2012, 12:47:38 PM
Wow, I have those exact same pills! :D

Thanks, I was wondering the same thing.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on February 27, 2012, 01:02:42 PM
Quote from: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 10:58:32 AM
on another thread on here, it was mentioned that taking them by swallowing only gives roughly 50% potency, due to the digestive process before they get to the liver and processed into your system.

Under the tongue gives around 80% potency due to the miconized particles passing right through the skin of the tongue and bypassing the digestive tract, like patches.

I tried patches for a couple of years and they were pretty hopeless!
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Joelene9 on February 27, 2012, 04:19:32 PM
  I have no problems with the estrofem and the provera under the tongue.  Swallow the spiro, best with a meal.
  Joelene 
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Alainaluvsu on February 27, 2012, 05:10:56 PM
If the pill turns mushy in a couple of minutes instead of broken into particles after a while, it's micronised and designed to be taken sublingually. I took 17-b estradiol sublingually for 5 months and my levels were mind boggling high, with very effectively suppressed T levels. My metabolic panel stayed extremely consistent within a 3 month period (all tests normal), in other words my metabolites, kidney, and liver functions all generally were fine and normal. I would recommend to anybody that takes E to take it under the tongue unless they're having an issue with uncontrollably high levels of estradiol on a low dose.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: kelly_aus on February 27, 2012, 09:23:57 PM
It doesn't really matter.. If your serum levels are good and your Liver Function tests also come back good, then there's really no issue..
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: peky on February 27, 2012, 09:40:59 PM
Quote from: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 01:35:00 AM
and should therefore be able to be used inguinally (under the tongue)

in·gui·nal (nggw-nl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or located in the groin.  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

You mean sublingual
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: peky on February 27, 2012, 09:44:49 PM
Quote from: TraciMC on February 27, 2012, 12:31:32 PM
I feel so dumb. I've been on HRT for over 14 years (and started with the pills in 1997) and I never heard of this way of taking the pills.  And although I switched to injections and then mostly to transdermal gel application, I still have a regular estradiol pill prescription to supplement things.  I'm going to have to ask my endo about this; this sounds a lot better for my liver than just swallowing them.

Try it as  a suppository, totally by-passing the liver.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 10:53:06 PM
Quote from: peky on February 27, 2012, 09:40:59 PM
in·gui·nal (nggw-nl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or located in the groin.  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

You mean sublingual

D'OH! LOL
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: veritatemfurto on February 27, 2012, 11:00:49 PM
Quote from: peky on February 27, 2012, 09:44:49 PM
Try it as  a suppository, totally by-passing the liver.


oh no not that horrid "eating in reverse" South Park episode again... :laugh:
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Jennifer.L on February 28, 2012, 02:45:55 PM
Oh don't know the fun of the bum tell you've tried it girlfriend.

But no really, I might try suppository.  Its used medically for a lot of things.  As for as your body is concerned it's exactly the same as taking something sublingualy.  Only you don't have to hold it in your mouth for some time.    IDK I think I'll do the pill under the tong because its cheaper and easier to get.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Naturally Blonde on February 28, 2012, 04:30:16 PM
Quote from: Joelene9 on February 27, 2012, 04:19:32 PM
  I have no problems with the estrofem and the provera under the tongue.  Swallow the spiro, best with a meal.
  Joelene

Estrofem and Depo provera? you get results from those medications? I actually found them the least effective of all the medications I've tried over the years.
Title: Re: how do I tell if I can take my pills under the tongue?
Post by: Joelene9 on February 28, 2012, 10:54:41 PM
  Works here.  I getting the Provera, not depo which is another formulation.  It is the spiro that's the key here. 
  Joelene