Sucee Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: SUCEE is an estrogen/progestogen combination oral contraceptive that inhibits ovulation.
Pharmacodynamics: SUCEE contains cyproterone acetate which inhibits androgen activities which are produced by ovaries and adrenal glands. It is possible to treat diseases causing either an increased production of androgens or a particular sensitivity to these hormones such as acne, hirsutism, alopecia. SUCEE reduces the increased sebaceous gland function, which plays an important role in the development of acne and seborrhea. This leads, usually after 3 to 4 months of therapy, to the healing of existing acne efflorescences. The excessive greasiness of the hair and skin generally disappears earlier. The loss of hair which frequently accompanies seborrhoea likewise diminishes. Treatment with SUCEE is indicated in women of child-bearing age who exhibit mild forms of hirsutism, and in particular in slightly increased facial hair; result do not, however, become apparent until after several months of use. SUCEE also contains ethinyl estradiol, which inhibits ovulation thus preventing a possible conception.
Pharmacokinetics: Ethinyl estradiol is rapidly absorbed with peak concentrations attained within 2 hours. It undergoes considerable first-pass elimination. Ethinyl estradiol is 97% to 98% bound to plasma albumin. Half-life varies from 6 to 20 hours. It is excreted in bile and urine as conjugates and undergoes some enterohepatic recirculation.
Cyproterone acetate is completely absorbed. The bioavailability after oral administration is 88-100% and T_max occurred within 2-3 hours post dose.
Cyproterone acetate is 93% bound to serum albumin. It is metabolized by various pathways, including hydroxylation, de-acetylation and conjugation. The main metabolite in human plasma is 15β-hydroxy-cyproterone acetate which show antiandrogenic activity, similar to that of cyproterone acetate, but the metabolite has only 10% of the progestrogenic potency of cyproterone acetate. Following oral administration, the terminal half-life is approximately 1.6-3.6 days.