Quick answer: An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place for Estradot. It lets your pharmacist supply it differently from your prescription, but only in the way the protocol sets out.
Do not switch, stop or change Estradot yourself. Whether a different strength, form, brand or medicine is right for you is a decision for your pharmacist or prescriber, who knows your history.
What the official notices say about alternatives to Estradot
Estradot® 25 microgram patches: Serious Shortage Protocol (NHSBSA SSP082)
An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.
What this protocol allows: Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.
Source: NHSBSA, NHSBSA SSP082. Read the protocol itself before relying on it.
Estradot® 100 microgram patches: Serious Shortage Protocol (NHSBSA SSP081)
An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.
What this protocol allows: Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.
Source: NHSBSA, NHSBSA SSP081. Read the protocol itself before relying on it.
Estradot® 75 microgram patches: Serious Shortage Protocol (NHSBSA SSP080)
An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.
What this protocol allows: Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.
Source: NHSBSA, NHSBSA SSP080. Read the protocol itself before relying on it.
Estradot® 50 microgram patches: Serious Shortage Protocol (NHSBSA SSP079)
An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.
What this protocol allows: Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.
Source: NHSBSA, NHSBSA SSP079. Read the protocol itself before relying on it.
Is a different medicine an option for me?
Only your prescriber can decide that. MediWatch does not suggest equivalents: medicines that look similar can differ in dose, how they are taken, interactions and side effects. If your pharmacy can't supply Estradot, ask your GP or prescriber what they recommend for you. The BNF and the NHS medicines A to Z are the official references they use.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is this a local stock problem, or the national shortage in the notice above?
- Is a Serious Shortage Protocol active for my exact product, and what does it let you supply?
- Can you get my exact strength and form from another wholesaler, or is another pharmacy more likely to have it?
- If my prescription has to change, what exactly should I ask my GP for?
Want to know the moment this changes? Check Estradot status and track it free.
Related
Estradot shortage status
The live national record for this medicine, updated daily.
Run out already?
How to get an emergency supply today: the pharmacy route and the NHS 111 route.
NHS 111 emergency supply guide
What NHS 111 and pharmacists can do tonight, and what it costs.
Emergency supply by medicine
How much a pharmacist can give for your type of medicine.
Live UK shortage tracker
Every active DHSC and NHSBSA notice.
Track your medicine free
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Track a medicine free →Written by the MediWatch editorial team and checked against the official sources above on 12 November 2026. This page is information, not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist, GP, specialist, NHS 111 or urgent-care advice for your own medicine. Report an accuracy issue.
This page was written by the MediWatch editorial team and checked for accuracy against NHS, NHSBSA and legislation.gov.uk guidance. Shortage information comes from official DHSC medicine supply notifications and NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols. See our editorial policy and data sources.