Sandrena Gel

What is Sandrena Gel? 

Sandrena Gel is a type of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). It contains the female hormone oestrogen and is used to relieve symptoms of the menopause (like hot flushes) when your levels of oestrogen drop.

How to use this product

Always use Sandrena Gel exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. You can start using Sandrena Gel straight away if you have never used HRT before or you are changing over from a period-free HRT. You should wait for your period to end if you are changing over from another type of HRT where you have a period.

Sandrena comes in sachets of 0.5 mg estradiol in 0.5 g of gel, or in sachets of 1 mg estradiol in 1g of gel. Each pack of Sandrena 0.5 mg gel contains only 0.5 g sachets. Each pack of Sandrena 1 mg gel contains only 1 g sachets. The recommended dose is between 0.5 mg and 1.5 mg of estradiol a day.

For a 0.5 mg daily dose, use one 0.5 g sachet. For a 1 mg daily dose, there are two options. Use one 1 g sachet or use two 0.5 g sachets. For a 1.5 mg daily dose, use three 0.5 g sachets or use one 0.5 g sachet with one 1 g sachet. 

Sandrena should be rubbed gently on dry and clean skin. It should not be swallowed. Do not apply the gel to your breasts, face or on irritated skin. Apply the gel to your lower body or thighs, and to a different side of your body each day. Apply the gel once a day to the skin on your lower body or thighs. Spread the gel over an area 1–2 times the size of your hand and allow the gel to dry for a few minutes. Wash your hands after applying the gel. Avoid contact with your eyes. The gel may irritate your eyes. Do not wash the area where you have applied the gel for at least one hour.

What is the menopause?

The menopause is a stage that women usually experience when they are between the ages of 45 to 55, but the menopause can also occur in around 1 in 100 women before they reach 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

The menopause refers to when a woman stops having her periods. This can be sudden or gradual, for example, your periods may become infrequent before they stop altogether. The stage before your periods stop is called the perimenopausal stage.

When your periods stop, this means your oestrogen levels are in decline, your ovaries are no longer working and you can’t become pregnant. In the UK, the average age for a woman to go through the menopause is 51.

When should this product not be used? 

Sandrena Gel may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not use this product if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if you have any of the following:

• If you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it
• If you have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• If you have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated
• If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• If you have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C,protein S,or antithrombin deficiency)
• If you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina
• If you have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal
• If you have a rare blood problem called “porphyria” which is passed down in families (inherited)

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have any of the following: 

• Fibroids inside your womb
• Growth of womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis) or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Increased risk of developing blood clots
• Increased risk of getting an oestrogen-sensitive cancer (such as having a mother, sister or grandmother who has had breast cancer)
• High blood pressure
• A liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour
• Diabetes
• Gallstones
• Migraine or severe headaches
• A disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE)
• Epilepsy
• Asthma
• A disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis)
• A very high level of fat in your blood (triglycerides)
• Fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems
• Hereditary or acquired angioedema

Are there any side effects?

Like all medicines, Sandrena Gel may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness. Common side effects include:

• Itching of the skin, rash, pain, increased sweating, swollen feet and lower legs 
• Breasts become tender or painful
• An increase or decrease in your weight
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tummy pains
• Feeling sick or being sick, flatulence - bleeding or spotting, menstrual disorder - depression, nervousness, lethargy - hot flushes.

For more information on potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Storage information

Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction

For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction

Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support