Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A

Identification

Summary

Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A is a mixture of estrogens used to treat a variety of postmenopausal symptoms, including vaginal atrophy and dyspareunia.

Brand Names
Cenestin
Generic Name
Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A
DrugBank Accession Number
DB09317
Background

Synthetic conjugated estrogens A are composed of a blend of the following nine synthetic estrogenic substances: estrone sulfate, sodium equilin sulfate, sodium 17α-dihydroequilin sulfate, sodium 17α-estradiol sulfate, sodium 17β­ dihydroequilin sulfate, sodium 17α-dihydroequilenin sulfate, sodium 17β-dihydroequilenin sulfate, sodium equilenin sulfate, and sodium 17β-estradiol sulfate. This blend of nine estrogen derivatives are plant-derived forms of endogenous estrogens and contain many of the same compounds as the Conjugated Equine Estrogens (CEEs), although they are not considered to be equivalent. Available as the product Enjuvia (FDA), this combination of plant-derived estrogenic compounds is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms and vulvovaginal atrophy associated with menopause.

All estrogen products mimic the effects of endogenous estrogens in the body which are responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. Estrogens act by binding to estrogen receptors on a wide variety of tissues in the body and modulating the pituitary secretion of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) through a negative feedback mechanism. Prior to menopause, the primary source of estrogen is the ovarian follicle, which secretes 70-500 micrograms of estradiol daily, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. However, once a woman stops ovulating there is a sharp decline in the production of progesterone and estradiol by the ovaries and a consequent fluctuation in LH and FSH due to a lack of feedback control. This shift in hormone production is largely responsible for many of the symptoms experienced during and after menopause and includes hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms, painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, and vulvovaginal atrophy. These symptoms are able to be reduced by replacing many of the hormones lost during and following menopause with synthetic or naturally occurring forms, in a therapy known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Pharmacologic estrogen products are available in a variety of formats. Although many of them contain several compounds in common (such as the estrogen derivatives sodium estrone sulfate and sodium equilin sulfate), they vary by their original source (such as horse-, human-, or plant-derived), and the remaining mixture of estrogenic derivatives. Conjugated Equine Estrogens (CEEs) are derived from the urine of pregnant mares and contain a blend of at least 10 estrogen derivatives. Marketed under the brand name Premarin, CEEs are the most frequently used form of conjugated estrogens. There is currently no generic form of CEEs available as a detailed analytical characterization of the active ingredients or of their estrogenic activity is not available at this time. Conjugated estrogens are also available in a plant-derived synthetic form that replicates the naturally occurring, horse-derived forms. Available as either "Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A" containing 9 estrogen derivatives (available as Cenestin) or as "Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, B" containing 10 estrogen derivatives (available as Enjuvia), these products are isolated as precursors from yam or soy plants and then chemically modified to mimic the products available in their naturally occurring form.

Type
Small Molecule
Groups
Approved
Synonyms
  • Estrogens, Conjugated Synthetic A

Pharmacology

Indication

For the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause and for treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause.

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Associated Conditions
Indication TypeIndicationCombined Product DetailsApproval LevelAge GroupPatient CharacteristicsDose Form
Management ofModerate vulvovaginal atrophy••••••••••••
Management ofModerate vasomotor symptoms••••••••••••
Management ofSevere vulvovaginal atrophy••••••••••••
Management ofSevere vasomotor symptoms••••••••••••
Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Pharmacodynamics

Not Available

Mechanism of action

All estrogen products mimic the effects of endogenous estrogens in the body which are responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. Estrogens act by binding to estrogen receptors on a wide variety of tissues in the body and modulating the pituitary secretion of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) through a negative feedback mechanism. Prior to menopause, the primary source of estrogen is the ovarian follicle, which secretes 70-500 micrograms of estradiol daily, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. However, once a woman stops ovulating there is a sharp decline in the production of progesterone and estradiol by the ovaries and a consequent fluctuation in LH and FSH due to a lack of feedback control. This shift in hormone production is largely responsible for many of the symptoms experienced during and after menopause and includes hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms, painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, and vulvovaginal atrophy. These symptoms are able to be reduced by replacing many of the hormones lost during and following menopause with synthetic or naturally occurring forms, in a therapy known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

TargetActionsOrganism
AEstrogen receptor alpha
ligand
Humans
Absorption

Synthetic conjugated estrogens, A are soluble in water and are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after release from the drug formulation. The Cenestin tablet releases the synthetic conjugated estrogens, A slowly over a period of several hours

Volume of distribution

The distribution of exogenous estrogens is similar to that of endogenous estrogens. Estrogens are widely distributed in the body and are generally found in higher concentrations in the sex hormone target organs.

Protein binding

Estrogens circulate in the blood largely bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.

Metabolism

Exogenous estrogens are metabolized in the same manner as endogenous estrogens. Circulating estrogens exist in a dynamic equilibrium of metabolic interconversions. These transformations take place mainly in the liver. Estradiol is converted reversibly to estrone, and both can be converted to estriol, which is the major urinary metabolite. Estrogens also undergo enterohepatic recirculation via sulfate and glucuronide conjugation in the liver, biliary secretion of conjugates into the intestine, and hydrolysis in the gut followed by reabsorption. In postmenopausal women a significant portion of the circulating estrogens exist as sulfate conjugates, especially estrone sulfate, which serves as a circulating reservoir for the formation of more active estrogens. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that estrogens are metabolized partially by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

Route of elimination

Estradiol, estrone, and estriol are excreted in the urine along with glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.

Half-life

The half life of baseline-corrected estrone and equilin was found to be 10.6 hr and 9.7 hr, respectively.

Clearance

Not Available

Adverse Effects
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Toxicity

Not Available

Pathways
Not Available
Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
DrugInteraction
AbacavirAbacavir may decrease the excretion rate of Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A which could result in a higher serum level.
AbametapirThe serum concentration of Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A can be increased when it is combined with Abametapir.
AbciximabSynthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A may decrease the anticoagulant activities of Abciximab.
AceclofenacAceclofenac may increase the thrombogenic activities of Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A.
AcemetacinAcemetacin may decrease the excretion rate of Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A which could result in a higher serum level.
Food Interactions
  • Avoid grapefruit products. Grapefruit inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism, which may increase the serum concentration of synthetic conjugated estrogens, A.
  • Avoid St. John's Wort. This herb induces CYP3A4 metabolism and may reduce serum levels of synthetic conjugated estrogens, A.

Products

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Product Images
Brand Name Prescription Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
CenestinTablet, film coated0.45 mg/1OralTeva Women's Health2004-04-012015-04-30US flag
CenestinTablet, film coated0.45 mg/1OralPhysicians Total Care, Inc.2005-09-13Not applicableUS flag
CenestinTablet, film coated0.9 mg/1OralTeva Women's Health1999-05-122016-04-30US flag
CenestinTablet, film coated1.25 mg/1OralPhysicians Total Care, Inc.2008-03-17Not applicableUS flag
CenestinTablet, film coated0.3 mg/1OralTeva Women's Health2002-08-052016-04-30US flag

Categories

Drug Categories
Classification
Not classified
Affected organisms
Not Available

Chemical Identifiers

UNII
JM2621P2LS
CAS number
Not Available

References

General References
  1. Stevens RE, Roy R, Phelps KV: Evaluation of single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of synthetic conjugated estrogens, A (Cenestin) tablets: a slow-release estrogen replacement product. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Mar;42(3):332-41. [Article]
  2. 14. (2015). In Pharmacology for Women’s Health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
PubChem Substance
347910437
RxNav
253166
ChEMBL
CHEMBL1201649
RxList
RxList Drug Page
Drugs.com
Drugs.com Drug Page
Wikipedia
Conjugated_estrogen
FDA label
Download (6.85 MB)

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials
PhaseStatusPurposeConditionsCount
3CompletedTreatmentHot Flashes1
3CompletedTreatmentMenopause1

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers
Not Available
Packagers
Not Available
Dosage Forms
FormRouteStrength
Tablet, film coatedOral0.3 mg/1
Tablet, film coatedOral0.45 mg/1
Tablet, film coatedOral0.625 mg/1
Tablet, film coatedOral0.9 mg/1
Tablet, film coatedOral1.25 mg/1
Prices
Not Available
Patents
Patent NumberPediatric ExtensionApprovedExpires (estimated)Region
US5908638No1999-06-012015-07-26US flag

Properties

State
Solid
Experimental Properties
Not Available
Predicted Properties
Not Available
Predicted ADMET Features
Not Available

Spectra

Mass Spec (NIST)
Not Available
Spectra
Not Available
Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Not Available

Targets

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Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Yes
Actions
Ligand
General Function
Zinc ion binding
Specific Function
Nuclear hormone receptor. The steroid hormones and their receptors are involved in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression and affect cellular proliferation and differentiation in target tissu...
Gene Name
ESR1
Uniprot ID
P03372
Uniprot Name
Estrogen receptor
Molecular Weight
66215.45 Da

Enzymes

Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
No
Actions
Substrate
General Function
Vitamin d3 25-hydroxylase activity
Specific Function
Cytochromes P450 are a group of heme-thiolate monooxygenases. In liver microsomes, this enzyme is involved in an NADPH-dependent electron transport pathway. It performs a variety of oxidation react...
Gene Name
CYP3A4
Uniprot ID
P08684
Uniprot Name
Cytochrome P450 3A4
Molecular Weight
57342.67 Da

Carriers

Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
No
Actions
Inducer
General Function
Serine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity
Specific Function
Major thyroid hormone transport protein in serum.
Gene Name
SERPINA7
Uniprot ID
P05543
Uniprot Name
Thyroxine-binding globulin
Molecular Weight
46324.12 Da
References
  1. CYTOMEL (liothyronine) FDA label [File]

Drug created at November 17, 2015 17:08 / Updated at June 12, 2020 16:52