Vagirux® is now the NHSGGC preferred brand of estradiol vaginal tablets
Key messages
- The preferred brand of estradiol 10 microgram vaginal tablets in the NHSGGC adult formulary has changed from Vagifem® to Vagirux®.
- Vagirux® has a lower acquisition cost than Vagifem® in both primary and secondary care.
- Vagifem® and Vagirux® have identical composition and are therapeutically equivalent.
- Vagirux® is packaged with a single re-usable vaginal applicator per pack of 24 tablets. This should be explained to patients at the point of first prescribing and/or dispensing to prevent inadvertent early disposal of the applicator.
For existing patients
Vagirux® contains only one re-usable applicator per pack as opposed to the 24 disposable applicators supplied in a pack of Vagifem®. This has the advantage of being more environmentally friendly, however, patients currently maintained on Vagifem® will be accustomed to disposing of the applicator after each use.
It is important that patients are counselled to wash the applicator supplied with Vagirux® and re-use it as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Published 17/08/2021. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.