Sublingual Administration of Diethylstilbestrol; Comparison of Routes in Therapy

Abstract

Diethylstilbestrol in propylene glycol administered sub-lingually gave a positive vaginal smear response in all of 17 cases of hypo-estrinism. Relief of symptoms was good in 11 cases; poor in 6. Nausea was the chief cause of failure of symptomatic improvement; it occurred much more frequently with sublingual than with oral therapy. Per mg. of the diethylstilbestrol administered, sublingual therapy is approx. equivalent to oral therapy while intramuscular inj. is approx. twice as effective. In a small % of patients sublingual diethylstilbestrol therapy may prove preferable to the oral or intramusc. routes, or to pellet implantation. Oral adm. remains the treatment of choice in the great majority of patients.