EP1390042A1 — Drug delivery system comprising a tetrahydroxylated estrogen for use in hormonal contraception

USPTO Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to method of contraception in mammalian females, which method comprises the oral administration of an estrogenic component and a progestogenic component to a female of childbearing capability in the amount effective to inhibit ovulation, wherein the estrogenic component is selected form the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula (I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7, is a hydroxyl group; and no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. Another aspect of the invention concerns a pharmaceutical kit comprising oral dosage units that contain the aforementioned estrogenic component and/or a progestogenic component.