| abstract |
Transdermal absorption dosage units have been developed which comprise a backing layer and an adjoining polyacrylate adhesive polymer layer in which at least minimum effective daily doses of one or more steroidal hormones are microdispersed. Presently preferred is use of the natural estrogen, 17-beta-estradiol, or ethinyl estradiol or combinations thereof together with an amount of a natural progestogen or a progestin to minimize any potential side effects. The units use bioacceptable polyacrylate adhesive polymer in making the adhesive polymer layer which has a minor percentage of vinyl acetate polymer units effective in providing improved transdermal absorption of the microdispersed steroidal hormone. An effective amount of vinyl acetate units up to about 5 percent has been found suitable. The invention also provides a process for transdermal administration of one or more steroidal hormones using the novel dosage units provided. |