Cutting e patch in two?

[Anonymous]

My 0.05 e patch is out of stock at CVS. I have a prior rx of the 0.1 e patches from when I was on a higher dose. So I cut it in half. Anyone else doing this while we wait out this e patch shortage?

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

I have wondered about this too and have seen conflicting medical guidance . . . Some indicating that the patch will release the medication all at once, as opposed to gradually over several days, if it is cut; yet other guidance indicating that it is advisable to cut patches in a particular geometry for delivering doses lower than manufactured to young people who might need estradiol for various conditions.

[Anonymous]

My gynecologist told me to do exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Is there not a shortage on the 0.1? I have a month of my 0.05 left and am so worried about not getting it.

[Anonymous]

OP here--
18:46--- I had a prior prescription of several boxes of the 0.1 estrogen patch. It was too high of a dose for me. I was lowered to .075, then to .05. I have unused boxes from the .1 dose of estrogen patches left over. I hope to cut them in half and use them until this shortage is over.
I'm calling my doctor today and will report back about what they say.

[Anonymous]

Bump. I’m curious what your doc says op. I cut my patches.

[Anonymous]

Diagonal cut.

[Anonymous]

The instruction indicate that you have to apply the patch right after opening the package and not let it sit inside already open package. Is this not the case for yours? I am not talking about removing the sticky parts, just opening the paper pouch where the patch sits.

[Anonymous]

I've wondered if the estrogen is distributed evenly over the patch, just as there are some meds you can't cut, but others you can, in part due to distribution of the active ingredient.

That said, I have cut patches many times. Interesting info to cut diagonally.

[Anonymous]

I'd call the pharmacist. From what I understand the type of patch can impact whether it's okay to cut.

[Anonymous]

Don’t cut a patch. The medication will release. Instead, you could put a large bandaid on and put half the patch on the bandaid and half on your skin. It is not ideal but more effective than cutting.

[Anonymous]

OP here! My doctor called in a 1x a week rX. I asked to be lowered down to .0375, and the pharmacy had one box. (I've been adjusting my dose down... long story and not really related to this post.)
So I was using the cut patches for one week-- that is, one .1 patch, cut in two, and I used one half in the first part of the week, and the second half after that. I felt the same. But it was only for one week. YMMV.
I am glad so many women are getting treatment, but this shortage is really, really ridiculous. I feel like we are still in the Dark Ages of menopause treatment, and this is one aspect of that.