Estratest Generic On Indefinite Back Order! (Top voted first)

Could this mean it may no longer be produced? I had a complete hysterectomy in 2000 and nothing else has worked for me! HELP!

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Greetings,

Since my wife has been having the same problem obtaining Estratest in California, I decided to do a little research on the problem. Here is what I found:

Estratest is a combination of Esterified Estrogens and Methyltestosterone. Methyltestosterone is a Class III restricted drug on the Drug Enforcement Administrations controlled substance schedule. Methyltestosterone is an oral steroid with mild anabolic steroid effects. Estratest had been previously exempted from the Class III restricted drug schedule.

There was a change in the law or regulations on January 1st that eliminated this exemption. This means that the drug manufacturers, distribution centers and drug stores or doctors now have a completely new system for reporting the sale and transfer of Estratest. It also requires a new prescription form and can not be prescribed for more than a six month period on any one prescription.

When they said it was "quarantined", they probably meant it was not going to be distributed until the manufacturer/distributer could meet all of the new reporting requirements for distribution of a Class III controlled substance. There could also be a problem for the manufacturers in obtaining the Methyltestosterone for inclusion in the Estratest since it is a Class III controlled substance.

At one time there were eight pharmasutical firms manufacturing Estratest. There are now only three.
Hopefully, those three firms will still find it profitable to manufacture Estratest.

It appears that post-menapausal women are the victims of the unintended consequences of the governments zeal to restrict anabolic steroid abuse.

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Hi Sofi,
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports that there are a few other companies that make a medication with the same composition as Estratest.

Centrex makes Corvaryx in full and half strength.
Creekwood makes EEMT in full and half strength.
Amneal is also supposed to be the same composition.

Solvay was the original developer of Estratest, a trademarked medication. Other companies (Glenmark, Prasco, Breckenridge, Lannett) began producing a similar medication under diffferent names.
All of these companies have discontinued production.

It is my understanding, and I may be wrong, that the methyltestosterone is added to help prevent cramping. When my wife ran out of Estratest and was placed on Premarin, she began to have severe cramping and muscle spasms in her back. We visited our doctor and he gave her a shot of testosterone. Within 24 hours, the back spasms stopped and within three days, the muscle pain went away. So it appears that she will be on Premarin and monthly testosterone shots until the Estratest situation improves.

A weird sidenote. Methyltestosterone in Estratest is a Class III controlled substance, and is probably the reason for this situation, requires a special triple form prescription. Testosterone is not a classified controlled substance and only requires a simple prescription.

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Hi Msgirl,

May I ask where you found information stating that Estratest Generic is on an indefinite backorder? I couldn't personally find any information claiming that it's no longer unavailable. However, I did find out that there was a shortage of Estratest's active ingredients: "Esterified Estrogens" and "Methyl testosterone" - but according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, that issue was resolved in 2011.

Source: ashp.org/DrugShortages/ResolvedShortages/Bulletin.aspx?id=552

Please let me know if you come across any more information. Thanks!

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Thank you, Mike. Good post. My friend's pharmacist substituted a drug called Covaryx. She hasn't tried it yet. I sure hope it's the same thing as estratest.

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I checked with four drug stores in two towns (one independent and three large chains) and they all said they did not have any estrified estrogen and methyltestosterone. The independent drug store, where we normally fill our prescriptions, said they did not anticipate any in-stock until mid-march, based on information from their supplier. If four drug stores in two town have none of this medication, I would say there is a shortage somewhere. And since this does not appear to be just a local situation, I would have to say the shortage is wide-spread.

As to a "run on the bank" so to speak, it would be difficult to have a "run" on a prescription controlled substance. It would take a lot of doctors suddenly deciding to needlessly issue a lot of prescriptions to a lot of women saying they needed Estratest. And "hording" would be a bit of a problem when the prescription can only be refilled once in a certain time period (once every month, three months, or six months). Estratest is not exactly in the "fun recreational" drug category.

Overall, I really do not see how response #17 has contributed anything positive to the general discussion. I believe that the information shared in the Estratest thread has been helpful to all who post here or read the posts.

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Dear Interlineal Persuer, ive been following along with this thread on Easratest. I came on here to find out one if anyone knew why a drug would be quarentined? I need this medication not only for peri menapause but for a adult form of muscular Dystrophy. This may be a medication that could change my life and others . And all i read is you degrading others that have come on here also saying they cant find it this is true? I live in NJ and have called all the drug stores local Rite Aid said this month. i dont understand what your purpose is on these type of sites other than belittle people? Everyone has enough problems they sure dont need someone that thinks there better and knows everything hurrasing them .

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Here is a recap of the information available on this and a few other Estratest threads.

There is a supply distribution problem for the medication "estrified estrogen and methyltestosterone", but it appears to be sporadic as to locations and dates.

Solvay was the original developer of Estratest, a trademarked medication name. Other companies (Glenmark, Prasco, Breckenridge, Lannett) began producing a similar medication under different names. All of these companies have discontinued production.

These are all current Estratest equivalent manufacturers and the medication name:
Centrex makes Corvaryx in full and half strength.
Creekwood makes EEMT in full and half strength.
Amneal is also supposed to be the same composition in full and half strength.
ANI Pharmaceutical makes "estrified estrogen and methyltestosterone" by that name.
Any name with "HS" after it is the half strength medication

We visited our doctor and he gave my wife a shot of testosterone to go with the Premarin she is taking and that is working well for her. This was her treatment prior to the initial development of Estratest.

Diane received a script of EEMT 0.625/1.25 from Choice Pharmacy of Canada.

Colete spoke with a pharmacist. She suggested these alternatives for Estratest HS replacement.
1. Bio Equivalent Hormone Creams (Estradiol/Estriol + Testrostrone
2. OR Premarin Lowdose + Testosterne Cream (applied twice a week in thigh area (I believe)
3. OR Estradiol/Estriol + Testosterone Compound Capsule. This would require getting the medication from a compounding pharmacy.

There appear to be some solutions available until the supply distribution problem is resolved.
You may want to discuss all of these solutions with your doctor and/or pharmacist and see what is available in your area.

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Hanna, we are only actually replacing what our body doesn't produce any longer. For example, if we were defiant in a certain B-12 Vitamin, we would take a supplement and feel better. I can only speak for myself and what I have read on HRT. It appears that with a natural menopause, the ovaries will STILL produce a tiny amount of testosterone, which is the hormone that gives us natural "energy" and sex drive. Even THAT is better.. BUT when our ovaries are "surgically" removed, we no longer produce estrogen...AND testosterone. That is the reason I take the Estratest. Just taking estrogen alone doesn't help as much as it does with the combo. I hope someone here can add more to this discussion.

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Brend...my story. I had BC and a mastectomy with chemo. They said the BC wasn't estrogen dependent. I went without HRT for a year, and couldn't function. I had such horrible hot flashes and depression that I was a useless walking zombie.
Finally, I begged my Breast Surgeon Oncologist for the pill. He agreed. I took "only half a pill" of the half strength and INSTANTLY regained my life back with just that little bit of HRT replacement. (I'm 5 feet 115 pds tho)
So two years later, they found DCIS in the other breast (Not the original Cancer)... I had the second mastectomy. No chemo or followups required with the DCIS. Again, I stayed on the pill. That was all 12 years ago. Neither cancers were caused from HRT. So they say. OTOH, I did tell my Doctor that it was the QUALITY of live for me, not the Quantity. I couldn't live only half alive. My experience should not be an endorsement of HRT after cancer. It's just my own story.

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I tried many hormones after having my hysterectomy in 1996. Finally, after a years worth of work, my internist said I was having Estrogen overdose and put me on Estratest HS. It has been a life saver. Now I cannot get it from Medco, nor any of the local pharmacies (big or small.) I even spoke with a local compounding pharmacy and they said they do not have the methyltestosterone to make a compound version.

Then I remembered, I am able to get another one of my medications from canadageneric. I just spoke to them on the phone and they have plenty of Estratest HS and are going to get in touch with my Doctor for the script. A 90 day fill will cost $88, plus s/h. It takes a while to get meds from Canada, but the prices and the medications are the same - just packaged differently.

I hope this helps some of you and I pray my GYN gets the order done for me quickly.

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Geeze! I thought I was being helpful by informing those who were also in NEED of Estratest HS what I have found out. The way this thread has moved, I'm not sure I will speak(post) here if I DO receive my medication. What I've posted so far has been what I have learned and thought others (also in need of this medication) might want to know. As I said, I was trying TO BE HELPFUL - not cause any issues. Never my intention.

Sadly, this string has turned into a game of semantics and who can post the most derogatory remarks to others. It is childish, to say the least.

I am fine with not sharing whether or not I receive my medication, if this is the kind of behavior to be expected.

Again, I was trying to be helpful to those also in need of their medication, nothing less and nothing more.

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Colete,
I sooooo agree with you. I am 70 and still active with my husband. So, I really do need this medication. Like you, I want a quality life with the years I have left.

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Good idea. That said, I'd still keep calling every pharmacy in town. Life for anyone without the Estratest is going to go down hill fast..

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When I spoke to Canada Generic yesterday, they took my order and said it would take 10 days +/-. I have rec'd my confirmation from them, so we'll see. I spoke with my GYN's nurse this morning and even she is anxious to see if I am able to get it. As soon as the package arrives, I will let you all know.

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I can't read through all these threads that are off the original topic (errrrrrrrr) . I just want to feel semi normal again and would appreciate any help in locating Estratest equavelent !!!

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I just stumbled upon this thread while searching about my new prescription of Estratest 1.25/2.5. I started to freak out when I saw all the posts about it being discontinued. I believe this medication has finally been the answer for me. I had a partial hyst 7/2010 due to cervical cancer. I left my ovaries in hopes to try to avoid all the potential hormonal issues of a complete hyst. Needless to say the last 3 years have been a hormonal roller coaster for me even with my ovaries left in tact. I have been all over with HRT, BC, anti anxiety, antidepressants.... pills and more pills in hopes of finding some normality. I had even gone to compounding bio-identical hormones with testosterone for the sex drive/libido issues. Well two weeks ago I had my ovaries removed due to pre-cancerous cells returning and was horrified at the thought of trying to continue my hormone quest for normalcy now that I would no longer have my ovaries. I know it is early, but I am optimistic. I have been on the Estratest now for two weeks and I feel great. Not one single night sweat, no hot flashes, less irritable. I was having them all the time (pre-menopause and low estrogen levels) before my surgery without taking Estratest. I am also on Estrace cream, so maybe this is finally the right concoction for me? I will keep the compounded cream formula (testosterone/aminophylline/arginine-L) also known as "scream cream" in my nightstand drawer as an added bonus for later :-)

In any event, I had no problem filling my Estratest prescription at Walgreens and even called them to verify that they have no shortage for my potential future needs. They informed me that they did not think there will be a future shortage. So perhaps things have settled down and everyone can readily get what they need???

And as far as 'Interlineal Peruser' is concerned.... Shame on you..... Grow up!

And Mike. Your wife is blessed to have you, I'm not sure too many men out there would be as passionate about the support of their wife's medications. Well maybe my husband too knowing what he has endured with my emotional roller coaster :-) Amneal is the producer of mine.

Best wishes to everyone!

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Brenda,

We'll give Mike the exception to that rule of no men. He has been a vital part of the conversation. It's nice to see there are men like Mike (and my sweet husband) who care about their wives health and medical issues. ;)

Have a wonderful day!

Dianne

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Hi Hanna,

Our body also stops making the thyroid hormone and many other hormones needed to "feel normal" during menopause (surgical or natural.) Women in menopause also need Calcium, because our body stops producing it. It is an essential vitamin, which can be replaced by food, but we need a lot to keep our bones strong, for our aging bodies - thanks to menopause.

As far as Testosterone (Estratest HS) goes, it has personally aided me with keeping away night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings and helping me sleep. It also gave back my libido (better than ever in my life,) helped with my energy levels, along with skin, nail and hair health. And it will..... IF the dosage is correct. So, suggesting "it's all in our minds" is just silliness.

To quote the website natural hormones dot net:
"Testosterone is a hormone that is not as essential to women as it is to men, but it can still play a role in a woman’s body. The androgen can help with some of the sexual symptoms of menopause including: vaginal dryness and the loss of libido."

That article by Newsweek is ridiculous and should be ignored. They have NO CLUE into what menopausal women go through - IMHO. Besides all that - who wants to "soldier through sex" instead of enjoying every minute of it?! LOL!

Thanks for posting!

Dianne

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Hi Rhonda,

Look at my post #44 for some generic alternatives to Estratest.
And follow Concerned Daughters advise in post #61.
Ask your pharmacy if they have Estrified Estrogen and methlytestosterone. That is the generic name for Estratest.
My wife is taking the ANI Pharmaceutical version and it has the same affect as her old Estratest.

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Hi guys. Long time no see.







Hello everyone! Cutting a pill in half is the only way I can survive when they decide to pull it for a while or change manufactures and names...uggh. Always have extra. That said, I still get it filled every month :)

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