Ciba is now marketing a new estrogen patch called Vivelle. It's an alternative to their original estrogen patch, Estraderm.
Both Estraderm and Vivelle contain estradiol.
But the Vivelle patch is much smaller and thinner...because the estrogen is embedded in the adhesive instead of a gel layer.
Vivelle will be promoted as causing less skin irritation. It also comes in more strengths.
Tell women to apply Vivelle twice a week...just like Estraderm. This is different from Climara...the estrogen patch by Berlex that's applied just ONCE a week.
Key References
FDC Reports 1996;58(15):T&G3.