A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and acceptability study of two Invisible Condom formulations in women from Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
The objectives of this clinical trial were to evaluate the safety, tolerance and acceptability of two gel formulations of the Invisible Condom: (i) the polymer alone and (ii) the polymer-containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) compared to placebo when applied intravaginally with our unique applicator in sexually abstinent and active woman volunteers.


METHODS
A randomized, doubled-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy women from Yaoundé, Cameroon. Two hundred sixty women were randomized into three gel arms: (a) gel alone, (b) gel plus SLS and (c) placebo gel. Thirty-seven sexually abstinent women applied gel intravaginally once a day for 14 days, while 75, 74 and 74 sexually active women applied gel intravaginally once, twice or three times daily for 14 days, respectively.


RESULTS
Retention rate was high at 85% and 221 women applied the two products and the placebo for a total of 6005 times. Nugent score, H(2)O(2)-producing lactobacilli and vaginal pH were stable throughout the study and were not affected by the study products. Colposcopy showed neither genital ulceration nor mucosal lesions. No study product-related serious adverse events were reported. The majority of reported adverse events were mild or moderate and largely similar in all 3 arms. Satisfaction questionnaire showed that the gel formulations and applicator were generally comfortable and acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
The Invisible Condom formulations and applicator were found to be comfortable, well tolerated and acceptable when applied intravaginally once, twice or thrice daily for 14 days. Thus, expanded safety evaluation is warranted.
Mbopi-Keou
Francois-Xavier
FX
Laboratoire de Santé Hygiène Mobile, Ministry of Public Health and Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Trottier
Sylvie
S
Omar
Rabeea F
RF
Nkele
Ngoh N
NN
Fokoua
Séraphin
S
Mbu
Enow R
ER
Giguere
Jean-Francois
JF
Domingo
Marc-Christian
MC
Piret
Jocelyne
J
Tsague
Landry
L
Zekeng
Leopold
L
Mwatha
Anthony
A
Mâsse
Benoît
B
Bergeron
Michel G
MG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002163:Cameroon; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011060:Poloxalene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005782:Gels; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D011060:Poloxalene