Depo-Testadiol was provided in the form of 10 mL vials containing 2 mg/mL EC and 50 mg/mL TC in an oil solution and was administered by intramuscular injection once every 4 weeks.[1] Conversely, Femovirin was provided in the form of 1 mL ampoules containing 3.5 mg/mL EC (2.4 mg/mL free estradiol) and 90 mg/mL TC (62.9 mg/mL free testosterone) in an oil solution and was administered by intramuscular injection once every 4 to 6 weeks.[3]
[4][5][6][7] The elimination half-life of EC in oil by intramuscular injection is approximately 5 days, while the elimination half-life of TC in oil by intramuscular injection is approximately 8 days.[1] EC/TP reportedly has a duration of about 21 days.[8]
EC/TC likely poses a considerably increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer in women with intact uteruses (i.e., women who are not hysterectomized) if it is not combined with a progestogen.[1] This is due to the EC component.[1] The concomitant use of a progestogen will abolish such risks.[1] The medication can also cause masculinization, such as acne, deepened voice, hirsutism, and increased sex drive, due to its TC component.[1] Some of these masculinizing symptoms, such as voice deepening, can be irreversible.[1]
Depo-Testadiol was introduced for medical use in 1954,[9] while Femovirin was introduced for medical use in 1956.[10] An oraltablet product with the same brand name of Femovirin, containing ethinylestradiol and methyltestosterone, was marketed in 1958, and should not be confused with the injectable Femovirin.[11][4] Depo-Testadiol was discontinued in the United States by 2013.[12] Both Depo-Testadiol and Femovirin have been discontinued in most other countries, but formulations of EC/TC under other brand names continue to be marketed in Taiwan.[13][14][15]
Notes:Premenopausal women produce about 230 ± 70 μg testosterone per day (6.4 ± 2.0 mg testosterone per 4 weeks), with a range of 130 to 330 μg per day (3.6–9.2 mg per 4 weeks). Footnotes:a = Mostly discontinued or unavailable. b = Over-the-counter. Sources: See template.
^ abHager HH, Kern W, List PH, Roth HJ (29 July 2013). "Hormone". Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis: Für Apotheker, Arzneimittelhersteller, Ärzte und Medizinalbeamte: Wirkstoffgruppen II Chemikalien und Drogen (A-AL). Springer-Verlag. pp. 156, 185. ISBN978-3-662-25655-8.
^Arends G, Zörnig H, Hager H, Frerichs G, Kern W (14 December 2013). "Hormone". Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis: Für Apotheker, Arzneimittelhersteller, Drogisten, Ärzte u. Medizinalbeamte. Springer-Verlag. pp. 1164–. ISBN978-3-662-36329-4.
^Kaiser R (2 July 2013). "Ovar". In Buchborn E, Jahrmärker H, Karl HJ, Martini GA, Müller W, Riecker G, Schwiegk H, Siegenthaler W, Stich W (eds.). Therapie innerer Krankheiten. Springer-Verlag. pp. 405–. ISBN978-3-662-10489-7.
^Ufer J (1 January 1978). Hormontherapie in der Frauenheilkunde: Grundlagen und Praxis [Hormone Therapy in Gynecology: Principles and Practice] (in German) (5th ed.). de Gruyter. p. 276. ISBN978-3110066647. OCLC924728827.
^Sweetman SC, ed. (2009). "Sex hormones and their modulators". Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference (36th ed.). London: Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 2100, 2124–2125. ISBN978-0-85369-840-1.