Drug concentration effect relationship of estradiol from two matrix transdermal delivery systems : Menorest® and Climara®

Abstract Objectives: To relate the pharmacokinetics of estradiol to pharmacological effects. Methods: Drug concentration effect relationship of estradiol from two matrix transdermal delivery systems, Menorest® and Climara®, was studied in a single centre, open, randomised, comparative crossover study. The trial consisted of two treatment periods, 14 days for each patch separated by a 4-week washout period. Blood hormone levels were followed during the second week of each treatment. Estradiol levels during treatments were related to three concentration levels previously proposed as efficacy or safety limits. The effect of treatment on FSH-levels was examined and the relationship between the levels of estradiol and FSH was described using an inhibitory sigmoidal I max model. Estrone levels and estradiol/estrone before and during treatment were followed. Results: The C average of FSH during treatment was 38% lower than baseline plasma levels. Estradiol had an inhibitory effect on FSH with an I max of 0.68 and an IC 50 of 19 pg/ml. The fraction of time above the minimum concentration for therapeutic effect and the tolerability limit did not differ between the two treatments, whereas the fraction of time above the suggested threshold for osteoporosis prophylaxis was significantly larger for Menorest® than for Climara® ( P Conclusions: The drug concentration effect relationship of estradiol may be of use in evaluation of the effects of prophylactic estrogen therapy and to facilitate comparisons between different forms of estrogen treatments.