title: Comparative cross-over pharmacokinetic study on two types of postcoital contraceptive tablets containing levonorgestrel.
abstract: A pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic study was carried out on levonorgestrel tablets from two different sources (Hungarian- and Chinese-made). Both preparations contained 0.75 mg levonorgestrel and had been shown to have similar contraceptive efficacy and side effects when used for postcoital contraception. Absorption and bioavailability of the Hungarian-made tablets were greater as evidenced by higher serum concentrations of levonorgestrel, a greater area under the concentration-time curve during the first 24 hours, and a more marked suppressive effect on SHBG levels. These differences most probably reflect differences in their pharmaceutical formulation, in particular the extent of tablet dissolution and the degree of micronisation of levonorgestrel.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Y E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: J Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Matlin
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vince
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fotherby
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Van Look
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000284:Administration, Oral; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic; D013607:Tablets; D009644:Norgestrel; D016912:Levonorgestrel