Pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel in Indian women.
A low dose combination pill containing levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethynylestradiol 50 micrograms was administered orally to 13 women. Based on their anthropometric index they were classed as well-nourished (Group A) or undernourished (Group B). Plasma levels of levonorgestrel at various intervals after dosing were analysed by a specific radioimmunoassay and its pharmacokinetic parameters were computed. Peak plasma levels in both groups occurred within 2 h and the absorption half-lives were also similar. The decline in plasma levonorgestrel showed a tri-exponential decline in all Group A women, whereas it was biphasic in most of Group B. The pi t1/2 was lower in Group A women and the alpha-phase was found to be negligible in Group B. A significant positive correlation between elimination half-life (beta t1/2) and some of the anthropometric indices suggests a possible role of nutritional status in the metabolic handling of levonorgestrel.
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007700:Kinetics; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D008954:Models, Biological; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000378:metabolism*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D009644:Norgestrel; D016912:Levonorgestrel