Difference of Estrace & Femtrace

Estrace and Femtrace are both brand names for generic estradiol. Although they are very similar in their uses, modes of action and safety profiles, they display notable chemical differences.

Indications

• According to Rx List, common indications for Estrace and Femtrace include treatment of post-menopausal symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis in women and men and treatment of certain cancers in women and men.

Drug Class and Molecular Weight

• According to RxList, oral estradiol is a form of the female sex hormone estrogen. Drugs.com notes that Estrace and Femtrace have molecular weights of 272.37 and 314.42, respectively.

Active Ingredients and Dosages

• The active ingredients in Estrace and Femtrace are estradiol and estradiol acetate, respectively. Drugs.com indicates that Estrace comes in dosages of 0.5, 1 or 2 mg (milligrams) of estradiol per tablet. Femtrace, on the other hand, contains 0.45 mg, 0.9 mg or 1.8 mg of estradiol acetate per tablet.

Inactive Ingredients

• Femtrace and Estrace vary greatly in their inactive ingredients. Pharmacological data from drugs.com indicate that their common inactive ingredients only include lactose monohydrate, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate.

Metabolism

• Because the body must first break Femtrace down to its usable form (estradiol), it may take longer than Estrace to be effective. According to Drugs.com, however, lab studies suggest that all estradiol acetate (Femtrace) is broken down to estradiol within five minutes after administration.

Warnings

• According to Rx List, Estrace and Femtrace may increase the risk of certain conditions, including: heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, dementia, gallbladder disease, high blood calcium and visual disturbances.