Diethylstilbestrol

Generic name: Diethylstilbestrol [ dye-eth-il-stil-BES-trole ]
Drug classes: Estrogens, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

Uses of Diethylstilbestrol:

• It is used to treat breast cancer.
• It is used to treat prostate cancer.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Diethylstilbestrol?

• If you are allergic to diethylstilbestrol; any part of diethylstilbestrol; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a blood clot, have ever had a blood clot, or have been told you are at risk of getting a blood clot.
• If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you have porphyria.
• If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you have ever had a cancer where hormones make it grow.
• If you have had a recent heart attack or stroke.
• If you have heart failure (weak heart).
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
• If you have growths in the uterus (fibroids).
• If you have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• If you have not been through menopause or you are still able to have a baby.
• If you have had herpes during pregnancy.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take diethylstilbestrol if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take diethylstilbestrol.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with diethylstilbestrol.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take diethylstilbestrol with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Diethylstilbestrol?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take diethylstilbestrol. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
• Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may raise the chance of blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods of time like long trips, bedrest after surgery, or illness. Not moving for long periods may raise your chance of blood clots.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take diethylstilbestrol.
• Be sure to have regular breast exams and gynecology check-ups. You will also need to do breast self-exams as you have been told.
• This medicine is not approved for use in children. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking diethylstilbestrol, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Diethylstilbestrol) best taken?

Use diethylstilbestrol as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Follow how to take diethylstilbestrol as you have been told by your doctor. Do not use more than you were told to use.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of gallstones like sudden pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
• Signs of high calcium levels like weakness, confusion, feeling tired, headache, upset stomach and throwing up, constipation, or bone pain.
• Vaginal bleeding that is not normal.
• A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge.
• Breast pain.
• Enlarged breasts.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.
• Low mood (depression).
• Mood changes.
• Bulging eyes.
• Change in how contact lenses feel in the eyes.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Diethylstilbestrol?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Not hungry.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Stomach cramps.
• Bloating.
• This medicine may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Diethylstilbestrol?

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about diethylstilbestrol, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer