PHARMACOKINETICS OF WEEKLY TRANSDERMAL ESTRADIOL CONTROLLED DELIVERY SYSTEM IN POSTMENOPAUSAL CHINESE

AIM: To study Pharmacokinetical profile of weekly transdermal estradio l controlled delivery system (E(2)-WTCDS) in 18 Chinese postmenopausal women. METHODS: Single and multiple daily doses of E(2)-WTCDS were ap plied to an area of intact skin on the lower abdomen, using Estraderm TTS (E(2)-TTS) from Ciba-Geigy Company as control. E(2) concentration in serum was measured by RIA. RESULTS: C-max 38 +/- 5 ng . L(-1), T-ma x 22 +/- 5 h, AUC 5651 +/- 386 ng . h . L(-1) C-max(SS) 44 +/- 7 ng . L(-1), C-max(SS) 35 +/- 4 ng . L(-1), Fl 0.22 +/- 0.10. The relative b ioavailability of E(2)-WTCDS was comparable to E(2)-TTS during the sam e period of system application. CONCLUSION: E(2)-WTCDS maintained rela tively constant and effective serum estradiol concentrations and is su itable for once-weekly application.