title: Transdermal versus subcutaneous leuprolide: a comparison of acute pharmacodynamic effect.
abstract: Transdermal administration of peptides has been limited by the barrier properties of the skin. We compared the acute luteinizing hormone (LH) response to subcutaneous and transdermal administration of an LH-releasing hormone agonist (leuprolide). Eighteen volunteers received 5 mg leuprolide added to electrically powered patches delivering a current of 0.22 microA (transdermally). One week later, they received a 5 mg subcutaneous dose. LH response was measured. The area under the curve for LH response, maximum LH response, and time to maximum LH response were similar. Time to first response was shorter (147 +/- 108 minutes [transdermally] and 73 +/- 74 minutes [subcutaneously]; p less than 0.05), and the area under the curve for the first 150 minutes was greater (3655 +/- 2246 mIU.min/ml [transdermally] and 8666 +/- 4067 mIU.min/ml [subcutaneously]; p less than 0.05) for subcutaneous delivery. No major adverse effects were seen. This electrically powered transdermal technique merits further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY 11030.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kreis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eschbach
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sibalis
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016729:Leuprolide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide