Drugs To Use For Women’s Health Issues Flashcards
Estrogens
Estradiol
most potent estrogen; secreted in the ovary by the premenopausal woman
Estrogens
Estrone
metabolite of estradiol; 1/3 of the potency of Estradiol; primary estrogen in the post- menopausal woman; generated from conversion of androstenedione in the peripheral and adipose tissues
Estrogens
Estriol
another metabolite of Estradiol; must less potent than Estradiol; principal estrogen produced by the placenta
Estrogens
Conjugated Equine Estrogen
sulfate esters of Estrone + Equilin is a common oral estrogen used as HRT [Premarin]
Estrogens
Other estrogens
Plant derived estrogens
Synthetic estrogens—ethinyl estradiol—undergoes less liver metabolism than naturally occurring estrogens, so can be safely used at low doses
Nonsteroidal compounds that bind to estrogen receptors [have both estrogen and anti-estrogen effects] are called SERMs [Tamoxifen, Raloxifene (Envista)]
Estrogens
MOA and Therapeutic Uses
MOA—activated steroid-receptor complex interacts with nuclear chromatin to initiate
hormone specific RNA synthesis
Used for postmenopausal hormone therapy, contraception, replacement in the
premenopausal patients who are deficient [hypogonadism, premature menopause,
surgical menopause]
Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
Used in vasomotor instability, vaginal atrophy
If the woman has a uterus, progestogen must be included to reduce the risk of
endometrial cancer
If the woman has had a hysterectomy, unopposed estrogen is used—progestins may have negative effects on the lipid panel
ADE are less than in those using estrogens for contraception
Estradiol by patch or gel is also effective for postmenopausal symptoms
Risks of HRT—increased risk of CV events and breast cancer
Women with only GU symptoms are best treated with vaginal estrogens
Estrogens Androgens
Other Uses
Contraception
Combination of estrogen and
progestogen is used
-Orally
-Transdermal
-Vaginal
Other Entities
Primary Hypogonadism
-Estrogen that mimics natural cycle +
progestogen to stimulate development of
secondary sexual characteristics
-Must be continued until after growth has
been completed
Premature Menopause
-Estrogen + progestogen replacement is
used
Pharmacokinetics
Naturally Occurring Estrogens
Absorbed though the GI tract, skin & mucous membranes
Taken orally, estradiol is rapidly metabolized by the liver; micronized estradiol is available and has better bioavailability
Pharmacokinetics
Synthetic Estrogen Analogs
Ethinyl estradiol, mestranol & estradiol
valerate are well absorbed after oral
ingestion
These are fat soluble, they are stored in
adipose tissues, from there they are slowly
released
Synthetic estrogen analogs have prolonged action & are more potent than
natural estrogens
Pharmacokinetics
Estrogens
Metabolism
Estrogens are transported to the blood bound to albumin or SHBG; bioavailability of oral estrogen is low [because of 1st pass metabolism]; to reduce 1st pass effects—give the drug transdermally, intravaginally or by injection
They are then hydroxylated in the liver to derivatives that are then glucuronidated or sulfated
The parent drugs and the metabolites are excreted into the bile and are then reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation; inactive products are excreted in the urine
Estrogens
Adverse Effects
Nausea
Breast tenderness
Elevation of BP
Elevation of triglycerides
Peripheral edema
Increased risk of VTE and MI
Increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer [endometrial cancer risk reduced by
concomitant use of a progestin]
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Estrogen related compounds that display selective agonism or antagonism for estrogen receptors—depending on the target tissue
-Tamoxifen
-Toremifene [Fareston]
-Raloxifene [Evista]
-Clomiphene [Clomid]
-Ospemifene [Osphena]
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Mechanism of Action
Tamoxifen, Toremifene and Raloxifene compete with estrogen for binding to the estrogen receptor in the breast tissue
-Raloxifene also acts as an estrogen agonist in the bone, leading to decreased bone resorption, increased bone density and decreased vertebral fractures. Unlike Tamoxifen and estrogen, Raloxifene does not have appreciable estrogen receptor agonist activity in the endometrium [so no increased risk of endometrial cancer]
-Raloxifene also lowers total and LDL cholesterols
Clomiphene acts as a partial estrogen agonist and interferes with the negative feedback of estrogens on the hypothalamus
-These effects increase secretion of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and gonadotropins—stimulating ovulation
SERM
Uses and Pharmacokinetics
Tamoxifen—metastatic breast cancer; add
on therapy after mastectomy or XRT for
breast cancer; prevention of breast cancer in
those at high risk
Raloxifene—prevention of breast cancer in
those at high risk; prevention and treatment
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Clomiphene—used for infertility from
anovulatory cycles
Ospemifene—treatment of dyspareunia from menopause
SERM
Pharmacokinetics
SERMs rapidly absorbed after PO
administration
Tamoxifen—metabolized by CYP450
isoenzymes
Raloxifene—rapidly converted to glucuronide conjugates through 1st pass metabolism; undergoes enterohepatic cycling—main route is excretion through the bile into the feces
Progestogens
Progesterone—natural progestogen; produced in response to LH in women & by the testes in men; also produced by adrenal cortex in both sexes
Progestogens
MOA
In women—progesterone promotes development of secretory endometrium that
accommodates implantation of newly forming embryo
High levels released during the luteal phase inhibit the production of gonadotropin and
prevent ovulation—if conception occurs, progesterone continues to be produced to
maintain the endometrium & reduce the uterine contractions
If conception does not occur, release of progesterone from corpus luteum stops—this decline causes menstruation to take place
Progestogens
Therapeutic Uses
Contraception
Treatment of hormone deficiency
Control of DUB, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis management and infertility
For contraception—they are combined with estrogens
Synthetic progestogens—progestin used in contraception are more stable to first pass
metabolism
Desogestrel, Dienogest, Drospirenone, Levonorgestrel, Norethindrone, Norethindrone acetate, Norgestimate, Norgestrel
Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection [this agent is used orally as part of HRT]
Progestogens
Pharmacokinetics
Micronized progesterone is rapidly
absorbed after oral ingestion
Metabolized by liver; glucuronidated
metabolite is excreted by the kidney
Oral medroxyprogesterone acetate has a
½ life of 30 days; when given IM or SC the
½ life is about 40-50 days and gives
contraceptive activity for approximately
90 days; other progestins have ½ lives of 1-
3 days allowing for once a day dosing
Progestogens
ADEs
Headache
Depression
Weight gain
Changes in libido
Progestins that are derived from 19-
nortestosterone possess some androgenic
activity because of their similarity to
testosterone—can cause acne and hirsutism
Those that are less androgenic—norgestimate and drospirenone, are preferred in women with acne [can raise K+]
Antiprogestins
Mifepristone [RU-486]
Progesterone antagonist with partial agonist activity
Use of this drug early in pregnancy usually in abortion due to interference with the progesterone
Often combined with the prostaglandin analog Misoprostol [PO or intravaginally] to induce contractions—uterine bleeding and the possibility of incomplete abortion
Contraceptives
Interference with ovulation—most common
pharmacologic intervention for preventing
pregnancy
Major Classes of Contraceptives
Combined Oral Contraceptives [COC]
Most common estrogen in COCs—ethinyl estradiol
Most common progestins in COCs—norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norgestimate and drosperidone
Combined Oral Contraceptives [COC]
Combination on an estrogen & a progestin
Monophasic combination pills contain a constant dose of estrogen and progestin over 21-24 days
Triphasic COC attempt to mimic the natural female cycle—most contain a constant dose
of estrogen with increasing doses of progestin given over 3 successive 7 day periods
Active pills are taken for 21-24 days, followed by 4-7 days of placebo, for a total regimen of 28 days—withdrawal bleeding occurs during the hormone free period
Extended cycle contraception [84 pills followed by 7 days of placebo] results in less
frequent withdrawal bleeding
Patches/Rings
Estrogen Transdermal Patch
Ethinyl Estradiol and Norelgestromin
Patch is applied weekly for 3 weeks to
abdomen, torso or buttocks 4th week no patch is worn
Efficacy comparable to COCs in women
weighing <90 kg
Total estrogen exposure greater than with
COCs
Patches/Rings
Estrogen Ring
Vaginal ring of Ethinyl Estradiol and
Etonogestrel
Ring left in place for 3 weeks, then left out
for r1 week
Efficacy, contraindications & ADEs similar
to COCs
Progestins
Pills
Norethindrone—called “Mini Pill”
Taken daily
Less effective than COCs; they may
produce irregular menstrual cycles
Can be used while breast feeding, can
be used in those intolerant to estrogen,
those that smoke or those with
contraindications to estrogens
Progestins
Injections
Medroxyprogesterone acetate
given IM or SC every 90 days
ADE
-Weight gain
-Amenorrhea
-Bone loss/osteoporosis
Return to fertility may be delayed for
several months after discontinuation
Drug should not be used for >2 years
unless patient is unable to use other methods