Elleste Solo

What is Elleste Solo?

Elleste Solo is an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that is prescribed to ease the symptoms of menopause in women. Additionally, it can be prescribed as a preventative treatment against osteoporosis.

These tablets contain estradiol, which is a synthetic version of the female hormone oestrogen.

You can only buy Elleste Solo if it has been prescribed for you by a doctor.

What is Elleste Solo used to treat?

Elleste Solo is used to relieve a range of symptoms associated with menopause, which most commonly starts when a woman is between the ages of 45 and 55.

When a woman goes through menopause, her body's oestrogen levels begin to drop, which can cause various symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.

Although menopause is a completely natural part of a woman’s ageing process, these symptoms can be very debilitating. HRT medicines like Elleste Solo provide effective relief from them and allow women to lead a normal life.

Some women can develop osteoporosis after menopause, which is when their bones become fragile. Elleste Solo is sometimes prescribed to prevent this from occurring.

How does Elleste Solo work?

Elleste Solo works by supplementing the levels of oestrogen that your body loses due to menopause. Estradiol is a synthetic version of oestrogen and works to top up your body’s oestrogen levels, which relieves the symptoms of menopause.

You should start to notice an improvement in your symptoms after a few weeks of taking this medicine.

If you still have an intact uterus, you will also need to take a progestogen medication alongside Elleste Solo. When your oestrogen levels are increased on their own, this can cause excessive growth of the womb lining, which can lead to health risks like endometrial cancer.

Who can take Elleste Solo?

Using Hormone Replacement Therapy treatments like Elleste Solo comes with certain risks, which should be discussed before you start to take it.

Your doctor will speak to you about your family's medical history before they prescribe you this medicine.

Do not take this medicine if:

• You have ever had or are suspected of having breast cancer
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You have any kind of cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining, or you are suspected of having it
• You have ever had a blood clot in a vein, such as in your legs, or in the lungs
• You have a blood clotting disorder
• You have ever had a disease that was caused by blood clots in the arteries, including a stroke, heart attack or angina
• You have ever had liver disease
• You suffer from porphyria
• You have an allergy to estradiol hemihydrate or any of the other ingredients contained in this medication

This list is not exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for full reasons why Elleste Solo may be unsuitable for you to take.

Can you buy Elleste Solo over the counter?

No, Elleste Solo is not available to purchase over the counter. This medicine is only available on prescription.

Can you buy Elleste Solo online in the UK?

Yes, you can buy Elleste Solo online from most regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct. However, as this is a prescription-only medicine (POM), you must first have an online consultation with a registered doctor, pharmacist or prescriber before you can order it.

Elleste Solo alternatives

Hormone replacement therapy is available as a large variety of medicines to suit different women’s unique circumstances. This means that HRT can provide relief for a wide range of menopausal women.

Aside from Elleste Solo, Medicine Direct also stocks a selection of other renowned HRT medications, including:

• Zumenon also contains the active ingredient Estradiol
• Femoston
• Premique
• Elleste Duet

Elleste Duet is a combined version of HRT, meaning it also contains a progestogen medicine alongside oestrogen.

Elleste Solo Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Elleste Solo.

Your doctor will prescribe you the lowest possible dose, for the shortest period possible. Speak to your doctor if you do not think the dose is strong enough, or if it is too strong.

How to take Elleste Solo

Take Elleste Solo as instructed by your doctor. Read the patient information leaflet for complete instructions on how this medication should be taken.

If you still have regular periods, you should start taking Elleste Solo on the first day you have a bleed. If you are no longer having periods, you can begin taking it immediately.

If you are changing over from taking a different form of HRT, you should finish the current course of medicine you are on before you start taking Elleste Solo, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Follow your doctor’s instructions and ask them what to do if you are not sure.

• Take one tablet at the same time each day. You can take Elleste Solo at the most convenient time of day for you.
• Swallow Elleste Solo tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.
• All the tablets contained in the pack are the same dosage, but you should follow the arrows on the pack, which are marked with a day of the week to help you to keep track.
• Do not leave a gap between packs. When you finish one strip, start the next one the day after.

Elleste Solo Side Effects

Women who use HRT medicines like Elleste Solo are more at risk of developing the following conditions:

• Breast cancer
• Abnormal growth or cancer of the lining of the womb
• Ovarian cancer
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Increased risk of memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65

Common adverse effects of taking Elleste Solo include:

• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Feeling sick
• Increase in size of leiomyoma
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Disrupted menstruation period
• Irregular periods
• Uterine/vaginal bleeding and/or spotting
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Swelling of the legs
• Breast tenderness
• Breast enlargement
• Anxiety, depression and other mood alterations
• Increase or decreased sex drive
• Rash
• Itching

Tell your doctor if any of these side effects persist or concern you. 

Read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Warnings and drug interactions

Elleste Solo may interact with other medicines and increase your risk of side effects, or work less effectively.

It is very important that your doctor is aware if you are already taking any other forms of medicine. In particular, you should be sure to tell your doctor if you are already taking any of the following medicines:

• Any medicines used to treat epilepsy, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin or carbamazepine
• Any medicines prescribed to treat HIV, including ritonavir and nelfinavir
• Any herbal remedies that contain St. John's Wort as an ingredient

Check the patient information leaflet thoroughly for other medicines which may interact with Elleste Solo.

If you have any doubts, concerns about medicines that interact with Elleste Solo or questions at all, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor about them before you start taking Elleste Solo.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

This medication is only prescribed to post-menopausal women. It should not be taken by women who are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant or think they may be pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop taking it and seek your doctor's advice as soon as possible.

You should also not take Elleste Solo if you are currently breastfeeding.

Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Estradiol hemihydrate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.