Formulary
Diethylstilbestrol: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Diethylstilbestrol clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Diethylstilbestrol: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Diethylstilbestrol clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Breast cancer in postmenopausal women**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 10-20 mg daily.
**Prostate cancer**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 1-3 mg daily.
Cautions
Cardiovascular disease
Side effects
Frequency not known Bone pain (in breast cancer); breast abnormalities; cervical mucus increased; cholelithiasis; contact lens intolerance; depression; erectile dysfunction; erythema nodosum; feminisation; fluid retention; gynaecomastia; headaches; hypercalcaemia (in breast cancer); hypertension; increased risk of thrombosis; jaundice cholestatic; mood altered; nausea; neoplasms; skin reactions; sodium retention; testicular atrophy; uterine disorders; vomiting; weight changes; withdrawal bleed
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Oestrogens may antagonise diuretics and reduce the effect of anti-hypertensives.
Pregnancy
In first trimester, high doses associated with vaginal carcinoma, urogenital abnormalities, and reduced fertility in female offspring. Increased risk of hypospadias in male offspring.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment; avoid in severe or active impairment.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Diethylstilbestrol in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

