I use 1 gram of Estrace Cream three days a week. I receive a 42.5 g tube every three months. While the math is right, one tube seems to last only slightly more that 2 months. I use the applicator that comes with it, filling only to the 1 gram mark each time. Insurance does not allow me to reorder until the end of the 3 month period, which means I go without for 3 weeks. (I use this medication for an autoimmune disease and experience painful flares when I miss a dose.) Has anyone else had the same problem of running out of medication too soon? What am I doing wrong?
Estrace Vaginal Cream - Why does tube of medicine run out before the end of 3 months?
Question posted by LW44 on 5 June 2017
Last updated on 22 December 2023
30 Answers Page 2
if you order the RX from a pharmacy in Canada you will pay substantially less - likely you will pay 15% of what you are paying now -
not 15% less than you are paying rather 15% of what you are paying.
it's exactly the same thing in exactly the same package
This is very interesting as I just filled my first prescription in at least a decade. What is everyone paying per tube? When I first got a prescription for this, it was $15 copay and a tube a month. Now I’m paying $168. Someone is making a heck of a profit on my vagina.
With my 2019 Medicare Drug plan I paid $141.00 for a tube of brand-name Estrace in July. After reading reports of the new generic Estrace that had become available, I didn’t want to change to the generic in 2019, so I chose the Medicare Drug plan I’m on for 2019 because it had brand-name Estrace on its formulary. For 2019 most all of the Medicare Rx plans no longer offered the brand, only the generic. Last year in Dec. 2018 when I was on a different Medicare Drug plan that offered the brand-name (that plan stopped offering the brand for 2019), I paid $72.25 for the same brand-name tube.
I am new here and glad I found this thread. I just started this Rx and what I've noticed is how when I twist off the top it oozes out a bit. After pushing into applicator, there's a bit left at bottom of applicator, and when I remove that, even more oozes out of tube. I can see how easily this waste will add up! There must be a way to make this a more secure fit. I hope our doctors adjust the Rx to a larger tube. I can't believe that it is a good thing to miss days of this medication.
I’ve found that with some tubes, the two parts of the applicator are a very tight fit, and you have to use so much pressure on the tube to get the inside piece of the applicator to slide up, that it causes the oozing and waste when you remove the tube from the applicator. So I set the applicator to the dose I want before attaching it to the tube, and I don’t have to squeeze so hard and there is no waste.
I started Estradiol cream 3 months ago, one tube to last 3 months, ran out in two months. Measured on gram scale and found out applicator 1 gm mark is not accurate, same as others have reported. I am going to report to FDA, I was surprised someone else did and said the FDA is not interested, this is part of their mission. Please report to FDA, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Further to my original comment post of Nov 12, 2018, I recently in 2019 spoke to my gynecologist about the Estrace applicator problem. As we all figured out, the applicator does dose way too much. My gyn told me not to worry that I’d been overdosing for years because the body only absorbs what it needs. Hope that’s the case! That being said, I use 1gr 3 times a week, which means one tube should last me 14 weeks, which of course it was never doing because of the faulty applicator. To get the correct dose and have the tube last the correct amount of time, I’m now eyeing about a 1/2” of the cream into the tube. I started the tube on April 3, 2019, and the 1/2” amount looks on target. Will know if I need to adjust a bit when I finish the tube.
I hope that this thread is still open and someone can give me the latest update. I've had the exact issue with Estrace (Allergan product) and also with the generic Estradiol (currently the generic I have on hand is manufactured by Teva). A pharmacist at Express Scripts informed me that there had been no other issues reported with Estrace 42.5, and that I was the first to have an issue with getting less than 42 doses. I contacted my GYN's office to make sure I was not overdosing. After taking the prescription and the applicator into their office, the nurse indicated that the applicator was confusing, and that I should "eyeball" it when filling the applicator. She indicated that the applicator as set up appeared to be giving me more than a 1 gram dose. I'm really uncomfortable with the whole situation and can't understand how the drug companies haven't made corrections -- either to the size of the tube or to the markings on the applicator.
Has anyone progressed in finding out how to proceed? I'm so glad I found this thread -- It wasn't easy! Obviously the drug companies keep the complaints hidden.
Further to my earlier post, I made an appointment and went in to see my GYN on this issue. As someone else on this thread indicated, my GYN said that there was no harm to me in over-dosing the medication for over a year. He did not want to see the applicator I brought to him, and said that no one else has complained about this issue. I really had the impression that he was not taking my complaint seriously. At least I have gone on record that I informed him that I know the applicator is incorrect and that I overdosed for over a year. He changed my prescription to Yuvafem, which is pre-measured and does not require re-use of an applicator.
My gynecologist has switched me to Vuvafem Inserts also. I am just wondering if the Vuvafem 10 mcg and the Estradiol cream 0.01% is the same but in a different form, or is one stronger than the other.
Oh my goodness. This cream lasts me a week. I have been putting 4x as much as I should. Maybe that's why it hasn't been helping. My tube has markings that I did not understand. I am down with a suit because it is just so cheap of them to give us one applicator. This drug is too expensive for that. The women on here may have saved my life. Thank you.
If you contact your state Department of Consumer Affairs, they will send you or email you a complaint form to complete. You might want to send a copy to your state attorney general also. I don't think it will help as nobody wants to fight with Big Pharma but it can't hurt. I'm in if anyone wants to file a class action lawsuit.
I only got 23 grams out of a 42.5 gram tube.
Glad to find this thread.
I have difficulty with filling the applicator. After I squeeze Estrace cream into it and when I disconnect the applicator from the tube the pressure inside the tube cause the cream to squeeze out, sometimes it’s about 1gr or more. To prevent it from happening and the waist, now I put my finger on top of the tube opening immediately after I remove the applicator but it doesn’t seam right. Also it’s very hard to clean the applicator between use, need to use toothpick and Q-tips to try take off leftover cream. Also one time when the tube was half empty ,I folded it to be able to squeeze better and the tube broke on the fold. I wold love to get contact info for person in the drug company to relate this issues with them. Thank you
So glad I accidentally came across this thread! Yes, the applicator’s dosing is disturbingly and dangerously incorrect! I was prescribed 1 gram Estrace Vaginal Cream three times per week a number of years ago and have been taking that dose every week for a long time. It wasn't until about a year or so ago that I realized that the applicator was dosing too much. I had unfortunately trusted it! Because my Medicare drug insurance always refills this script whenever I need a refill, I hadn’t thought about how many doses I should truly get from the 42.5 gr tube. I was overdosing for years because of Allergan’s negligence! This is unacceptable and dangerous. Allergan, who makes Estrace, needs to be held accountable. We need to do a class action lawsuit.
Yeah, I just went over this with my pharmacist. I explained exactly how I was measuring the dose. But I ran out a week and a half before I could refill. I said the application must be wrong. He explained a gram was about the tip of your little finger. So that seemed about right. I can't figure it out nor can I find any other websites that mention this.
My concern is, instead of increasing the dosage in the prescription to account for the "missing" cream, shouldn't we be using less? The tube said the grams in it, so it should last that long. It sounds to me as though everyone is over dosing it.
I've been having better luck by using slightly less than one gram, as measured in the applicator. I fill it to slightly less than one gram, and I also hold the end of the applicator with my other hand when I squeeze the cream into it, so that it doesn't slip and permit more cream to enter it. You have to be very frugal with the cream, that's the only way it will last the full time.
I have had the same issue. I take one gram twice a week, and the 28 doses per tube sounds in line with what I was finding. On the second tube, the pharmacy gave me a ”vacation emergency refill” but that was all used up in early June and the pharmacy said my next refill couldn’t be until August! I spoke to my gynecologist and she rewrote the prescription for three times a week... I’m still to use it only twice a week but will be able to refill sooner. So grateful she believed me and was willing to work with me for a reasonable solution.
Yes, the only solution is to have your doctor prescribe more than you actually will take... there is. It other way.
I have tried to fight this issue with the company as you can see when you read my past posts.
Finally gave up.
This is truly mysterious and very frustrating. According to her nurse, my GYN has never heard of this issue before. I called the company that makes the generic equivalent, and they very kindly sent a credit to my pharmacy, and the pharmacy gave me a free tube. I am absolutely sure that I'm not using too much, so I guess I'll see what happens with this one. If it runs out too early again, I guess I'll either give up on it or make an appointment to see my doctor and perhaps she will do the same thing that yours did.
I took Vagifem for years but my new doctor thought the cream would be more reliable. Since prescription plan will no longer be available in 2019, I have been investigating the only option available which is through Medicare D. I was astonished to realize a year supply of Estradiol 0.01% cream would cost $250 co-pay for a three month supply compared to the $50 co-pay I am currently paying. Why is this cream so expensive? I also have the same experiences as others in that the cream does not last for three months. I almost have to stand on the tube to get the last amount out. At first I filled the tube completely as prescribed but soon realized the supply would be gone before I could refill. Mylan is the company that distributes mine. I am going to contact them and if I gain any useful information, I will share.
Yes, that is the only way to get around this issue..I called the company so many times but to no avail..
I feel like going to a new commentator about this.
I finally decided to just stop taking it
The next time I go to my GYN (assuming I'm still using the cream), I'm going to print out this these comments and bring them with me. There has to be something to this, if this many people have had exactly the same issue.
I was so relieved to find this thread. I have been using Estrace for over a year, and I have the same problem with the tube not lasting the three months it is supposed to last. I keep track of the number of grams I get according to the applicator, and it never exceeds 28. That means we are overdosing on estrogen and overbuying Estrace. This is unacceptable.
I agree... I have been pursuing an answer for months..
I called the FDA, but they could do nothing to help... and I even have tried to start a Class Action Suit. I went into see my doctor just to let her know what has been going on. Her plan is to give her patients prescriptions that are for every 28 days. I really feel ripped off to say the least.
Not sure what to do?? Lisa
I am having the same issue with the generic equivalent of Estrace. My dose is 1 gram 3 times weekly, and I noticed about 1 month in that I had already used about half the tube. I then found this thread, and started using less cream, but I'm just about out now and my insurance won't pay again for another 2 weeks. Has there been any more progress on this?
I just now saw your post from a year ago..not sure why it did not show up sooner.
I finally decided not to take this anymore. I gave up fighting with Allergam the company that makes Estrace... I even went to my doctor and spoke with her about this. So frustrating!
One more thing in answer to the last comment which was made 16 hours ago.. I believe that you can go to your doctor and she can prescribe more and that way your insurance company will pay for it... however, as I said I did stop taking it... I decided that it really is not all that great for us to be taking these types of products ... years ago women never took anything like this and they were fine... just frustrating that these big companies are ripping us off.. there are only a very few comments on this site but imagine the zillions of women out there who are at a loss at what to do... I even thought of going to the media about this,,but...
I believe the problem is in the way it is being measured, not the applicator. In order to get one gram of medicine from the tube you pull plunger up to level with very first line. My friend and I are both on this and she was pulling past line to bottom of the “G” which was double the amount prescribed. Hope this helps.
I have a gram scale. According to my scale, my applicator is marked correctly at both 1 and 2 grams.
That is so strange..because I am not and everyone else that has responded has said the same thing..except for you... So are you saying that you are actually getting 43 grams from your tube? Because we are all getting 28 grams?? Please let me know. I took a photo of the applicator with one gram in it each time I used it with the date and it only lasted 28 days. I did this with two full tubes and had the same result both times.
Lisa, since I didn’t see this site until I had already used quite a bit of my tube, I can’t say how much is in my tube. I’m responding to comments that the applicator was marked incorrectly. My applicator is marked correctly according to my gram scale. Is your scale electronic? My scale is electronic, which is much more accurate than a spring-type scale. Just wondering...
Good morning,
I never weighed the gram..what I did was get an entire new tube and measure out one gram twice a week until the tube was empty and found that I was only able to get 28 days (so 28 grams) from it. I took a photo with the date each time so I had 28 photos and an empty tube at the end of the process. I have registered a complaint and I am in touch with the company on a weekly basis. I want to get to the bottom of this. If this is not resolved soon I will contact the Drug and Food administration.
Hello again,
I have been back and forth with the company. They now admit in writing that the tube only holds 27 to 28 grams. They are saying that the difference is because of what is lost in the applicator and what is left in the tube... which is ridiculous. I am not letting this go. I am contacting the FDA on Monday and letting and them know!
Hi there,
The problem is not the applicator..it is the fact that there is not as much cream in the tube to begin with.
I have been trying to resolve this huge issue for months now. I of course get the run around.. I will keep trying. I went to the FDA and more...
The applicator is “dispensing” the wrong dose. The applicator “dispenses” the wrong amount even though the spaced markings from gram to gram look correct. You can visually see this. The distance from one of the gram markings to the next is about half as much as the applicator fills to when you set it at the gram marking you want. The problem is that when you fill the applicator, which, of course, we do from the bottom, the way the applicator is designed at the bottom it fills more than the gram amount you set it for (almost twice more).
This is sad and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one this is happening too. They are cheating people and getting away with it. I thought it was just a fluke with the first tube... had to get a refill to continue using as prescribed and my pharmacy had to contact my RX Ins Co to get a waiver to refill the RX sooner. Also contacted the company that makes this and they said to send copy of receipt to reimburse for the co-pay. I want them to correct the problem as they are cheating so many of us. It is just wrong.
Maybe they need a class action law suit filed against them. grrrrr
I guess we all need to be screaming about this in order for them to correct the problem
Isn't this ridiculous!! And such a huge rip off.. I think the applicator is measuring the cream incorrectly so we are all getting more per dose than we should be. This is actually dangerous and be needs to be addressed. I decided to take photos with the date and time on my phone every time I used the product.
I was able to prove that I only used it 28 times using one gram twice a week. I submitted proof two weeks ago. I have the correct name and number of the person to contact if you too would like to pursue this.
Did you see what I wrote about all this? I am in touch with someone at Allergan and I plan to get to the bottom of this.
I wish there was a way that all the women that wrote in could actually communicate via email or phone but I have a feeling that this website will not allow it.
Lisa Rosenthal... Georgetown,
Texas
I had the same issue with Estrace cream. I was using 2 grams a day for two weeks as per my Doctor
and I also got the 42.5 g tube... And, it only lasted 14 days. I am completely out and I can not get a refill for two more weeks!! I am calling the Estrace company tomorrow and also the drug and food administration about this. I saw another question posted in January where a gal was having the same issue. So this is definitely a problem. Such an expensive drug..
So you are not doing anything wrong.
Please note that the applicator is wrong. I, too, ran out of the cream early. Decided to weigh the 1G of medicine according to applicator. It is 1.75 + grams, which means we have been overdosing ourselves. Using a tad bit more than .5 in the applicator is the correct dosage for 1G prescription. Outrageous.
In response to the woman that found the applicator was incorrect... that was my guess as well...
I have contacted Estrace and made a formal complaint. I resent paying double for this expensive product. Plus, using more could be harmful to our bodies. I suggest that you contact Estrace and pursue this as well. The more that complain the better. I took a photograph with the date and time every time I used this product..so I could prove this was happening. I then called and emailed the company with the case number they gave me. I sent the photos and letter of complaint.
I am still dealing with the grams issue... the company says that the amount of grams in the tube is correct but they are wrong.
I took a photo with the date every time I used the product and at 28 days of use there was nothing left.
I believe you are the gal that measured the gram. How did you do that? I told the company that you had done that and they would like to hear from you as well.
I have the phone number of the person you need to contact. It took forever to get to him. Anyway, please let me know. Lisa
I spoke with someone at the Estrace Dept. and sent him proof that I have been doing the doses correctly. I took a photo with the date on my phone each time I used the product and it only lasted 28 days. Looks like there are 3 or 4 of us writing into this website. I call and email this person every couple of days to get an answer. I can give you his name and number if you are interested in pursuing this rip off.
in answer to your question, how did I measure: I used a food scale I weighed the applicator and then I filled up the applicator to the 1 Gram mark. Weighed it again and came out to 1.75 G of medication.
Yes, please post the contact person's name and number. I will also call. Thank you.
Another thought you see my actual name and we really should try to connect and see what we can do...
I am listed on Facebook and live in Texas.middle name is Stoloff.
I think they could care less. Collectively, we could make a difference. Perhaps contacting the FDA or some kind of fraudulent advertising practices advocacy.
I’m thinking also the applicator circumference is wrong! I have used other products with a “skinnier” applicator, and thinking that would make the difference in how many grams, maybe more so than how much goes in the tube “up”. I’m on the hunt for a new a applicator now!
I’m thinking also the applicator circumference is wrong! I have used other products with a “skinnier” applicator, and thinking that would make the difference in how many grams, maybe more so than how much goes in the tube “up”. I’m on the hunt for a new a applicator now!
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estrace, estrace vaginal cream, medicine, cream, vagina
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