Claims for Patent: 5,188,835

Summary for Patent: 5,188,835

Title:	Intravaginal devices
Abstract:	The invention concerns an intravaginal device comprising a combination of 17.beta.-estradiol and a supporting matrix for treating hypoestrogenic women. The device releases continously 17.beta.-estradiol at a rate of about 0.5 to about 25 .mu.g/24 h. The invention also comprises a method of preparing the device and a method of treating hypoestrogenic women by using the device.
Inventor(s):	Lindskog; Inga M. (Helsingborg, SE), Sjogren; Bengt C. H. (Viken, SE), Andersson; Sven-Borje (Od.ANG.kra, SE)
Assignee:	Kabi Pharmacia AB (Uppsala, SE)
Application Number:	07/793,484
Patent Claims:	1. An intravaginal device for use by hypoestrogenic women comprising 17 beta-estradiol incorporated within a supporting elastomeric matrix in such a way that the 17 beta-estradiol will, for at least a month, be continuously released from the elastomeric matrix at an essentially constant rate of about 0.5 to about 25 .mu.g per 24 hours. 2. An intravaginal device according to claim 1 wherein the release rate is from about 1 to about 10 .mu.g/24 h. 3. An intravaginal device according to claim 1 wherein the release rate is from about 4 to about 8 .mu.g/24 h. 4. A method of treating a woman having symptoms of hypoestrogenicity which comprises positioning within the woman an intravaginal device that comprises 17 beta-estradiol incorporated within a supporting elastomeric matrix in such a way that the 17 beta-estradiol will be, for at least a month, continuously released from the elastomeric matrix at an essentially constant rate of about 0.5 to about 25 .mu.g per 24 h. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the release rate is from about 1 to about 10 .mu.g/24 h. 6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the release rate is from about 4 to about 8 .mu.g/24 hr.