ERT

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

ERT
Stands forEnzyme replacement therapy
Meanings2
CategoriesMedical

ERT has two meanings. It stands for Enzyme replacement therapy (drug class) or Estrogen replacement therapy (drug class).

Meanings of ERT at a glance

#ERT stands forContext
1Enzyme replacement therapyMedical › Drug Class
2Estrogen replacement therapyMedical › Drug Class

1. Enzyme replacement therapy

Medical · Drug Class Abbreviations

Treatment that supplies a missing or defective enzyme by regular IV infusion in inherited lysosomal storage disorders such as Gaucher, Fabry and Pompe diseases and several mucopolysaccharidoses.

Example: Pompe disease: ERT alglucosidase alfa 20 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks.

Gaucher disease was the first condition treated with ERT, after US approval of alglucerase in 1991. Infusions are typically lifelong and among the most expensive treatments in medicine. Because the enzymes do not cross the blood-brain barrier well, ERT has limited effect on brain involvement. Infusion reactions and antibody formation are monitored.

2. Estrogen replacement therapy

Medical · Drug Class Abbreviations

Older term for estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause, used for hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone protection in women who have had a hysterectomy. Women with a uterus need a progestogen added to prevent endometrial cancer.

Example: Post-hysterectomy: ERT conjugated estrogens 0.3 mg daily for vasomotor symptoms.

The term has largely been replaced by "menopausal hormone therapy" (MHT). The Women's Health Initiative estrogen-alone trial, stopped in 2004, found an increased stroke risk but no increase in breast cancer, while the combined estrogen-progestin arm, stopped in 2002, found higher breast cancer and heart risk. Current guidance favors starting near menopause.

More drug class abbreviations

  • DORA – Dual orexin receptor antagonist
  • DPP-4i – Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor
  • DRI – Direct renin inhibitor
  • DTI – Direct thrombin inhibitor
  • EC – Emergency contraception
  • ERA – Endothelin receptor antagonist
  • ESA – Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
  • FGA – First-generation antipsychotic
  • FQ – Fluoroquinolone
  • GC – Glucocorticoid
  • GIP/GLP-1 RA – Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like…
  • GLP-1 RA – Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist

See all 113 drug class abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.