(Reuters) - Sanofi has entered into discussions with U.S. private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice to sell a controlling 50% stake in its consumer health business Opella, the French pharmaceutical giant said on Friday.

The announcement confirms an earlier Reuters report about the sale estimated at 15 billion euros ($16.41 billion).

Sanofi did not disclose any financial details of the potential deal and said further updates will be provided in due course.

($1 = 0.9143 euros)

(Reporting by Piotr Lipinski; Editing by Jan Harvey)