Short answer: Store Climara Pro and Menostar at room temperature, 68-77°F (20-25°C), with excursions allowed to 59-86°F (15-30°C); Menostar adds “Do not store above 86°F (30°C).” Keep each patch in its pouch and apply it right after opening. Fold a used patch sticky side together, put it in a child-proof container in the trash, and do not flush it. Sources: both labels, section 16.2 and Patient Information.
Climara Pro, section 16.2: “Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP controlled Room Temperature]. Do not store unpouched. Apply immediately upon removal from the protective pouch.”
Menostar, section 16.2: “Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Do not store above 86°F (30°C). Do not store unpouched. Apply immediately upon removal from the protective pouch.”
| Question | Climara Pro | Menostar |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68-77°F (20-25°C) | 68-77°F (20-25°C) |
| Excursions | 59-86°F (15-30°C) | 59-86°F (15-30°C); do not store above 86°F (30°C) |
| Out of the pouch | Do not store unpouched; apply right after removal | Do not store unpouched; apply right after removal |
| Refrigerator | Not stated | Not stated |
| Packaging | Carton of 4 systems; 0.045 mg/day estradiol and 0.015 mg/day levonorgestrel, 22 cm2 | Carton of 4 systems; 14 mcg/day estradiol, 3.25 cm2 |
| Change schedule | Once a week | Once a week |
The Menostar Instructions for Use add that a silver foil sticker is attached inside the pouch, and say not to remove it from the pouch.
Climara Pro, section 16.2: “Used transdermal systems still contain active hormones. To discard, fold the sticky side of the transdermal system together, place it in a sturdy child-proof container, and place this container in the trash. Used transdermal systems should not be flushed in the toilet.” Menostar section 16.2 says the same with “active hormone” and “a child-proof container”; its Patient Information says “a sturdy child-proof container”.
Section 2 of both labels also says: “Carefully fold each patch in half so that it sticks to itself before throwing it away.”
See Climara Pro side effects, Menostar side effects, the Climara Pro and Menostar dosing schedules, and what the labels say if you forget to change Climara Pro or Menostar.
Both are room-temperature patches, so they need no ice pack. Keep them sealed in their pouches in your carry-on, within 59-86°F (15-30°C), and out of a hot car. Bring a sturdy container if you will need to throw away a used patch on the trip. The refrigerated estrogen-progestin patch is CombiPatch.