INTRAVAGINAL DRUG DELIVERY DEVICES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 17BETA-OESTRADIOL PRECURSORS

摘要

PCT No. PCT/IE95/00063 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 3, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 3, 1997 PCT Filed Dec. 19, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/19196 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 27, 1996The invention relates to 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 in vivo. The 17 beta -oestradiol precursor must have either a solubility in liquid silicone of not less than 0.1 mg/100 ml or 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.