Estradiol is the main estrogen made by the ovaries. Oral estradiol tablets contain the same hormone and are taken by mouth, mainly for menopause symptoms. The original brand, Estrace tablets, has been discontinued (FDA says not for safety or effectiveness reasons), and generic tablets are sold in 0.5, 1 and 2 mg strengths.
Also known as: Estrace, estradiol tablets.
Generic estradiol tablets come as 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg.
The estradiol tablet label approves it for moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats of menopause; vulvar and vaginal atrophy (the label says vaginal products should be considered when that is the only reason); low estrogen from hypogonadism, removal of the ovaries or primary ovarian failure; prevention of osteoporosis in women at significant risk who cannot use non-estrogen drugs; and, for relief only, some metastatic breast cancers and advanced prostate cancer. For menopause symptoms the usual start is 1 to 2 mg a day, often cyclic (3 weeks on, 1 week off), at the lowest dose that works, with a recheck every 3 to 6 months.
The label says a woman with a uterus who takes estrogen should also take a progestin to lower the risk of endometrial cancer. Its boxed warning covers endometrial cancer and the Women's Health Initiative findings of more heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, blood clots and probable dementia with estrogen plus progestin. In November 2025 FDA said it is starting to remove the boxed warnings about heart disease, breast cancer and probable dementia from menopause hormone products, but not the endometrial cancer warning for systemic estrogen-alone products. The label versions we read on DailyMed still carry the full boxed warning. It is not used with undiagnosed genital bleeding, breast cancer (except selected metastatic cases), estrogen-dependent tumors, a past or current blood clot, a stroke or heart attack in the past year, liver disease, or pregnancy. See also oral progesterone and vaginal estradiol.
The generic estradiol tablet label we read does not give a half-life or time to peak for oral estradiol, so we do not list one. The label says estrogens are broken down mainly in the liver, where estradiol and estrone convert back and forth.
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