Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens for menopausal symptom treatment and osteoporosis prevention

Climacteric. 2012 Oct;15(5):411-8. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2012.696289. Epub 2012 Aug 1.

Abstract

Postmenopausal women with vasomotor and vaginal symptoms are commonly treated with estrogens or combined estrogen/progestin therapy (hormone therapy). However, hormone therapy is associated with some safety and tolerability concerns and its benefit/risk profile may vary for women based on their time since menopause. The tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) pairs a selective estrogen receptor modulator with one or more estrogens, with the goal of relieving menopausal symptoms and preserving bone mineral density without stimulating the breast or endometrium. Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens (BZA/CE) is the first TSEC in clinical development. BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 and 0.625 mg have been shown in phase-3 clinical trials to significantly improve hot flushes and vulvar/vaginal atrophy measures in symptomatic postmenopausal women and to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis while ensuring endometrial safety. These doses of BZA/CE have also demonstrated significant improvements in quality-of-life scores, sleep parameters, and treatment satisfaction compared with placebo. BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 and 0.625 mg showed high cumulative rates of amenorrhea and low rates of breast pain, similar to those with placebo. The favorable treatment effects seen with BZA/CE were generally consistent in women < 5 or ≥ 5 years since menopause. Based on its demonstrated efficacy and safety in women both closer to or further from menopause, BZA/CE may be an appropriate alternative to hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atrophy
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / administration & dosage*
  • Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Hot Flashes / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Indoles / administration & dosage*
  • Indoles / adverse effects
  • Menopause*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vaginal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vulva / pathology

Substances

  • Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
  • Indoles
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • bazedoxifene