Intravaginal drug delivery devices for the administration of 17beta-oestradiol precursors

摘要

Described is an intravaginal drug delivery device for administration to a female mammal of certain 17'beta'-oestradiol precursors at a substantially constant rate for a period of at least three weeks. The 17'beta'-oestradiol precursor is a 17'beta'-oestradiol moiety in which the, or each, hydroxyl group of the 17'beta'-oestradiol moiety is blocked by a blocking group, which blocking group is readily removed from the 17'beta'-oestradiol moiety in vivo. The 17'beta'-oestradiol precursor must either have a solubility in liquid silicone of not less than 0.1 mg/100 ml or have a standard k value of not less than 0.1 'mu'g/day/mm. The 17'beta'-oestradiol precursor must also have a solubility in distilled water of not less than 1'mu'g/100 ml.