title: Biodegradable norethindrone (NET:cholesterol) contraceptive implants: phase II-A: a clinical study in women.
abstract: Safety, contraceptive efficacy and biodegradability of subdermal norethindrone (NET)-cholesterol implants (Anuelle) were investigated in 19 healthy, sexually active women. Mean serum NET levels in women with four and five pellets, containing 174 mg and 266.5 mg NET, showed a "burst-effect" of 3.17 and 3.71 ng/ml, respectively, within 24 h post implantation. Subsequently, for the four- and five-pellet groups, respectively, the levels declined from 0.75 to 0.40 ng/ml and 1.05 to 0.61 ng/ml during the months 12-15, from 0.40 to 0.11 ng/ml and 0.61 to 0.25 ng/ml up to month 36. The serum NET levels were undetectable at 36 months and beyond, indicating complete biodegradability of NET pellets. Serum E2 levels remained within normal limits (> 50 pg/ml), whereas serum P indicated anovulatory cycles in 78% of the four-pellet group and 99% of the five-pellet group. FSH and LH levels were subnormal and acyclic. Plasma lipids showed reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. HDL cholesterol remained unchanged. Drug-related adverse effects were essentially limited to irregular bleeding. There were no pregnancies in either group.
authors.affiliation: The New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, New York City, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Raghubanshi
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ledger
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Harman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Leonard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D008074:Lipoproteins; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D009640:Norethindrone