Drug administration hormone replacement therapy

The administration of drugs to ease disease and chronic, severe pain or to provide benefits such as hormone replacement therapy is difficult because drugs taken orally may lose much of their potency in the harsh conditions of the digestive system. In addition, they are distributed throughout the entire body, not just where they are needed, and side effects can be significant. Recently, however, techniques have been developed to deliver drugs gradually over time, to the exact location in the body where they are needed, and even at the time when they are needed. 

The term modified covers several drug delivery systems. Delayed-release available other than immediately after administration (mesalazine in the colon) sustained-release slow release as governed by the delivery system (iron, potassium) controlied-release at a constant rate to maintain unvarying plasma concentration (nitrate, hormone replacement therapy). 

Oleic acid is the common name for (Z)-9-octadece-noic acid and is a nearly colorless liquid at room temperature with a melting point of 5-7°C. Oleic acid is practically insoluble in water but has been used as a solvent for oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs in soft gelatin capsules. Oleic acid is used to solubilize ritonavir in Norvir and Kaletra soft gelatin capsules (see section Microemulsion Oral Formulations ). Testosterone undecanoate is an ester prodrug of testosterone intended for oral administration in hormone replacement therapy, and is solubilized in oleic acid in 40 mg Restandol 40 mg soft gelatin capsules. 

Currently research is being carried out into the suitability of the nasal route for the administration for drugs for insulin-dependent diabetes and hormone replacement therapy. 

The clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are listed in Table 31-2. From a pharmacotherapeutic standpoint, hyperthyroidism is treated with drugs that attenuate the synthesis and effects of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is usually treated by thyroid hormone administration (replacement therapy). The general aspects and more common forms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are discussed here, along with the drugs used to resolve these primary forms of thyroid dysfunction. 

Pharmaceuticals based on natural and recombinant proteins have proven their therapeutic value. Whether for hormone or enzyme replacement therapies or to block or inhibit other protein signals, pharmaceutical proteins exhibit exquisite selectivity and specificity in their targets. Over 100 proteins have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since their inception and many more are currently in various phases of development. Despite their potency, many issues hinder the widespread use of protein pharmaceuticals. Proteins require special... 

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