title: Update on nonoxynol-9 as vaginal spermicide.
abstract: Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) is a typical surfactant. For more than 30 years that very property of N-9 has been successfully exploited for its spermicidal action. It is available as an over-the-counter, locally acting vaginal spermicide. The suitability of N-9 as a spermicide is elaborated in this article. The reasons why N-9 may fail as a contraceptive are discussed. In spite of many drawbacks, which are mentioned in the article, N-9 is still often resorted to as a locally acting contraceptive. The review ends with suggestions to alter the molecular structure of N-9 and to adjust the dosages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, K.M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Poddar
mesh_terms: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol