Treatment guide · Updated October 15, 2026
Estrogen patch brands: generics, makers, costs and supply
By Iacob Pastina · Independent editorial guide
The estrogen patch brands approved in the US are Climara and Menostar, changed once a week, and Vivelle-Dot, Minivelle, Dotti and Lyllana, changed twice a week. Each one delivers estradiol through your skin to treat menopause symptoms. Dotti and Lyllana are Amneal's branded generics, and Mylan and Zydus also make FDA-rated generic patches. A generic substitutes only for the brand in its own FDA equivalence group, so check who makes your patch before you accept a different one. Supply varies, so a provider listing patches cannot guarantee your refill.
Winona advertises its FDA-approved patch at $149 per month; our recorded billing cycle is 28 days. Other providers separate medication estimates from care fees.Compare patch prices and total fees, then use the brand and supply tables below to prepare for a pharmacy or prescriber conversation.
Which estrogen patches are available?
Manufacturer supply varies by strength and package. Pharmacy stock is unverified; confirm your exact prescription with the dispensing pharmacy before booking or switching providers.
ASHP supply bulletin: August 12, 2026. Read October 12, 2026. See every strength by manufacturer, with FDA checks and history.
What is an estrogen patch and how does it work?
Modern estradiol patches are matrix systems: the hormone is dissolved directly in the adhesive layer, so the patch is thin, flexible, and delivers a controlled dose per day. Standard strengths run 0.025 to 0.1 mg/day. You apply it to clean, dry skin on the lower abdomen or buttocks (not the breasts, per labeling), and rotate sites. The transdermal route matters clinically for one big reason: estrogen absorbed through the skin enters circulation directly instead of passing through the liver first, the way a swallowed pill does. That avoids the first-pass effect that drives up clotting factors, the mechanism behind the observational finding that transdermal estrogen carries lower venous-thromboembolism risk than oral. It also means steadier blood levels than the daily peak-and-trough of a pill. The trade-offs are mundane: skin irritation at the site, patches peeling in heat or heavy sweat, and pharmacy availability.
Sources: FDA-approved estradiol transdermal labeling via DailyMed (NIH); route-of-administration evidence per The Menopause Society 2022 hormone therapy position statement.
Which estrogen patch brands exist?
These are common brand names and an older brand you may still encounter in searches. Compare the application schedule and exact product; the dated supply notes do not guarantee stock. The full brand list links to recorded labels and marketing status.
| Patch | Maker | Schedule | Generic? | Supply notes (August 12 bulletin) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climara | Bayer | Once weekly | Yes (Mylan and Zydus AB2 generics; ASHP also lists a Sandoz weekly patch) | Climara listed available; generic supply varies |
| Vivelle-Dot | Novartis / Noven | Twice weekly | Yes (Dotti and other AB1 generics from Mylan and Zydus) | Check the exact product and strength |
| Dotti | Amneal (generic of Vivelle-Dot) | Twice weekly | Is the generic | Some strengths affected; see supply table |
| Lyllana | Amneal (generic of Minivelle) | Twice weekly | Is the generic | Listed available in August 12 bulletin |
| Minivelle | Noven | Twice weekly | Yes (Lyllana and a Mylan AB3 generic; authorized generic from Noven) | Minivelle brand discontinued; generic supply varies |
| Menostar | Bayer | Once weekly (ultra-low dose) | Yes (Zydus 0.014 mg/day, rated AB) | Check current ASHP entry |
Sources: product labeling via DailyMed; shortage status per the ASHP estradiol transdermal system entry dated August 12, 2026. Minivelle is a discontinued brand; its authorized generic remains listed. These supply notes are dated manufacturer reports. Ask your pharmacy about the exact strength and package you need.
Who makes generic estradiol patches?
You can get FDA-approved generic estradiol patches from Amneal, Mylan (part of Viatris) and Zydus. FDA sorts patches into equivalence groups, and a generic substitutes only for the brand in its own group. A Climara generic is not rated against Vivelle-Dot, even though both deliver estradiol. Read your pharmacy label for the maker, then find it below.
| Group | Brand it copies | Change it | Generic makers |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB2 | Climara | Once weekly |
|
| AB1 | Vivelle-Dot | Twice weekly |
|
| AB3 | Minivelle | Twice weekly |
|
| AB | Menostar (0.014 mg/day) | Once weekly |
|
ASHP's supply bulletin also lists a Sandoz once-weekly patch and a Noven patch distributed by Grove. Ask your pharmacist which group your package belongs to before you switch. An FDA approval does not prove a company is shipping that strength today; the supply table shows what manufacturers reported.
Sources: FDA application records for transdermal estradiol (openFDA Drugs@FDA), read October 15, 2026, including sponsor, marketing status and equivalence code for each strength; FDA's explanation of equivalence codes; ASHP estradiol transdermal system entry dated August 12, 2026.
Are Dotti and Lyllana equivalent to the same brand?
Dotti and Lyllana belong to different FDA therapeutic-equivalence groups. Dotti (ANDA 211293) is rated AB1, the group that includes Vivelle-Dot. Lyllana (ANDA 211396) is rated AB3, the group that includes Minivelle. Both are FDA-approved estradiol patches used twice weekly, but their shared hormone and schedule do not establish equivalence to each other.
FDA equivalence ratings apply to the exact products and strengths within the same group. Your pharmacist can check those records and whether substitution is permitted for your prescription. If your usual patch cannot be filled, ask your prescriber about appropriate options. Compare the label details in our Dotti and Lyllana records.
Sources: FDA application records for Dotti (AB1), Lyllana (AB3), Vivelle-Dot and Minivelle; FDA's explanation of equivalence codes. Records checked October 6, 2026. An equivalence rating does not confirm pharmacy stock.
Why is my estrogen patch out of stock?
Increased demand has put pressure on supply. The FDA's September 3 update reports efforts to increase production and says availability varies by pharmacy and location. A national supply update cannot confirm stock at your dispensing pharmacy. Ask about your exact brand, strength and package, then contact your prescriber if it cannot be filled.
Supply sources and next steps
We track the shortage (what's short, why, how long, and the FDA-approved alternatives) on a dedicated page, updated as the picture changes. Published provider treatment options are in the Estradiol Patch Alternative Tracker.
Estrogen patch shortage: current status →Which telehealth providers prescribe the patch, and at what price?
Our featured menopause providers that list a patch route, ordered by methodology score. During the shortage, the practical advantage of these platforms is a clinician one message away when a rewrite to a different brand, dose, or route is needed.
If you want the patch and the prescriber on one bill, Gala Health publishes two prices you can compare before intake. Its patch offer bills $297 every 12 weeks, which Gala advertises as $99 a month. Its separate flat plan advertises $69 a month with care, prescription and shipping, and names estradiol patches among the options. We read both pages on September 24, 2026. The clinician sets your exact prescription and total during the assessment, so read the Gala Health review for the billing and cancellation terms first.
Patch route offered, per-SKU price not published
Pharmacy stock: unverified. Confirm the brand and strength before booking.
FDA-approved formulary · Provider starting price: Not published + medication
Estrogen patch (from $149 per 28 days)
Pharmacy stock: unverified. Confirm the brand and strength before booking.
FDA-approved + compounded · Provider starting price: $54 per 28 days
Estradiol patch, gel and oral options; medication billed separately at your pharmacy
Pharmacy stock: unverified. Confirm the brand and strength before booking.
FDA-approved formulary · Provider starting price: $33/mo + medication
Estradiol patch or gel ($58/mo medication estimate; Premium membership extra)
Pharmacy stock: unverified. Confirm the brand and strength before booking.
FDA-approved + compounded · Provider starting price: $155/mo + medication
Pharmacy stock: unverified. Confirm the brand and strength before booking.
FDA-approved formulary · Provider starting price: $69/mo
We earn a commission when readers sign up with some of these platforms. Disclosed on every page, never a factor in scores or order. Full comparison on the rankings; full price math on the cost page.
Patch, pill, or gel: how do they compare?
All three deliver systemic estradiol; the differences are route and ritual. Patch: steady transdermal delivery, once/twice-weekly, the lower-observed clot-risk route, currently supply-constrained. Pill: daily dosing, with first-pass liver metabolism; oral and transdermal estrogen have different risk considerations. Gel or spray: transdermal like the patch, daily application, no adhesive issues. FDA-approved gel and spray products exist; your prescriber must determine whether a switch fits your medical history and choose the dose. Availability requires a pharmacy check. The Menopause Society's position statement treats route selection as an individualized decision based on your risk profile and preference, which in plain English means: all three are legitimate, and the right one is the one you'll actually use consistently and can actually fill.
Source: The Menopause Society 2022 hormone therapy position statement.
Product and substitution sources: Winona's patch approval and pricing statement; Estring's vaginal-symptom indication; and the FDA's advice for patients having trouble finding patches.
FAQ
Estrogen patch questions, answered straight
How does the estrogen patch work?
It's a thin adhesive matrix that delivers 17β-estradiol (the same estrogen your ovaries made) through the skin into the bloodstream at a steady rate. You wear it on the lower abdomen or buttock and replace it once or twice weekly depending on the product. Because absorption is transdermal, the estrogen skips the liver's first-pass metabolism, which is why patches deliver stable levels at lower total doses than pills.
Is the patch safer than estrogen pills?
Observational studies associate transdermal estrogen with a lower risk of blood clots (VTE) than oral estrogen, and The Menopause Society's position statement notes transdermal routes may be preferable for women with clot risk factors. That's observational evidence, not a randomized head-to-head trial, so it's a genuine advantage worth discussing with your prescriber, not a guarantee. For most healthy women under 60, both routes are considered reasonable options.
Do I need progesterone with an estrogen patch?
If you have a uterus, yes. Estrogen alone (without a progestogen) increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer, which is why FDA labeling pairs systemic estrogen with a progestogen for women who haven't had a hysterectomy. Micronized progesterone capsules are the common pairing at telehealth providers (Winona prices them from $39/month). If you've had a hysterectomy, estrogen-only therapy is standard.
What do I do if my estrogen patch is out of stock?
Start with your pharmacist, who can check other locations and appropriate substitutions. If your usual patch cannot be filled, ask your prescriber about another patch or a suitable systemic estrogen product. Do not cut patches, combine strengths or change your schedule on your own. Local vaginal treatments such as Estring treat different symptoms and are not interchangeable with a patch used for hot flashes. Our shortage page explains the latest FDA update and the questions to bring to your care team.
How much does an estrogen patch cost?
Winona advertises its FDA-approved estradiol patch at $149 per month; our documented billing cycle is 28 days. Gala Health's separate patch offer bills $297 every 12 weeks, which Gala advertises as $99 a month (read September 24, 2026). Confirm the current charge and any separately prescribed progesterone before paying. Other providers publish medication estimates or charge for visits separately, so compare the patch and care fees together. Pharmacy prices depend on your prescription, insurance and dispensing pharmacy.
Who makes estradiol patches?
Bayer makes Climara and Menostar, Sandoz holds the Vivelle-Dot application and Noven makes Minivelle. For generics, FDA's application database lists Amneal (sold as Dotti and Lyllana), Mylan and Zydus, each rated against one specific brand. Your pharmacy label names the maker, so you can check which patch you received against the generic makers table on this page.
Are all estradiol patch brands the same?
No. Every patch delivers estradiol, but FDA rates them in separate equivalence groups: Climara generics are AB2, Vivelle-Dot generics are AB1 and Minivelle generics are AB3. A patch substitutes only for products in its own group. Patches in different groups can differ in size, adhesive and schedule, so tell your prescriber if one irritates your skin or will not stay on.
Which estrogen patch is best?
No single brand is best for everyone. The best patch for you is the strength and schedule your prescriber writes, one that stays on your skin and one your pharmacy can fill. If you want fewer changes, a once-weekly patch such as Climara needs one change a week, while Vivelle-Dot and its generics need two.
Is there a patch with estrogen and a progestin together?
Yes. CombiPatch pairs estradiol with norethindrone acetate, and you change it twice weekly. Climara Pro pairs estradiol with levonorgestrel, and you change it once weekly. Both use a progestin rather than micronized progesterone, so ask your prescriber whether a combination patch or a separate progesterone suits you.
This is general information, not medical advice. Estradiol is a prescription medication; formulation, dose, and whether HRT fits your history are decisions for you and a licensed clinician. Supply guidance and the Winona patch approval correction were checked September 13, 2026. Brand and price records retain their own source dates; this update does not verify local pharmacy stock.
Patch supply changes weekly. We watch it.
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