Bioavailability of estradiol from two transdermal patches.

The bioavailability of estradiol (CAS 50-28-2; E2) from a new "matrix type" estradiol transdermal patch (Dermestril; Test patch) was compared to that of the widely used "liquid-reservoir, membrane-controlled type" transdermal patch (Reference patch) in a two-way randomized cross-over study on 28 healthy postmenopausal women, during a single 4-day application of 2 patches (total content 8 mg E2, total nominal release rate 100 micrograms E2 in 24 h). Evaluated from the AUC0-96h, the extent of bioavailability was practically the same for the two patch types. Conversely the rate of bioavailability was significantly different, because from the Reference patch the release rate is fast in the first 24 h, leading to an E2 peak at 8 h and to a Cmax in average at 23 h. But after the 2nd day the release/absorption rate declines markedly, leading to E2 serum concentrations at the 3rd and 4th days possibly below the effective threshold. From the Test patch the release/absorption rate of E2 is more constant, leading to sustained E2 concentrations during the 4 days of application, with smaller fluctuations than during application of the Reference patch. In conclusion the Test patch can be considered practically bioequivalent to the Reference patch with regard to the extent of absorption, but not with regard to the rate of absorption, because the E2 concentrations in serum are more constant during the application of the Test transdermal patch than during the application of the Reference.