Document Detail


A new delivery system for contraceptive steroids.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  3118719     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Long-acting forms of contraception that take advantage of the tissue compatibility of silicone rubber, a polymer of dimethylsiloxane, have been developed. The most advanced type of subdermal contraceptive capsule contains about 36 to 40 mg of levonorgestrel and is 30 mm in length and 2.4 mm in diameter (Norplant). The set of six implants is placed under the skin of the upper arm with a 10-gauge trocar with the use of a local anesthetic. The basis for the antifertility effect of these implants is continuous, low-dose progestogen therapy without the use of estrogen. The capsules release a total of approximately 39 micrograms of levonorgestrel each day. The blood progestogen level achieved through this microabsorption delivery system is 0.25 to 0.3 ng/ml. There is a sufficient supply of steroid in the capsules to maintain this blood progestogen level for 5 to 6 years. Since the capsules can be removed at any time, this contraceptive method is voluntarily reversible. The effectiveness of these subdermal implants has been evaluated in long-term studies that have progressed for well over 5 years. Therefore one clinic visit eliminates nearly 2000 days of concern over having to remember to take a pill on schedule. There has been sufficient experience to assure that fertility recurs promptly after removal of the subdermal implants.
Long-acting forms of contraception that take advantage of the tissue compatibility of silicone rubber, a polymer of dimethylsiloxane, have been developed. The most advanced type of subdermal contraceptive capsule contains about 36-40 mg of levonorgestrel and is 30 mm in length and 2.4 mm in diameter (Norplant). The set of 6 implants is placed under the skin of the upper arm with a 10-gauge trocar with the use of a local anesthetic. The basis for the antifertility effect of these implants is continuous, low-dose progestogen therapy without the use of estrogen. The capsules release a total of approximately 39 mcg of levonorgestrel each day. The blood progestogen level achieved through this microabsorption delivery system is 0.25-0.3 ng/ml. There is a sufficient supply of steroid in the capsules to maintain this blood progestogen level for 5-6 years. Since the capsules can be removed at any time, this contraceptive method is voluntarily reversible. The effectiveness of these subdermal implants has been evaluated in longterm studies that have progressed for well over 5 years. Therefore 1 clinic visit eliminates nearly 2000 days of concern over having to remember to take a pill on schedule. There has been sufficient experience to assure that fertility recurs promptly after removal of the subdermal implants.
Authors:
S Segal
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology     Volume:  157     ISSN:  0002-9378     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.     Publication Date:  1987 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1987-11-25     Completed Date:  1987-11-25     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370476     Medline TA:  Am J Obstet Gynecol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1090-2     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM; J    
Affiliation:
Population Sciences, Rockefeller Foundation, New York, New York.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Clinical Trials as Topic
Contraceptive Agents, Female / administration & dosage*,  adverse effects
Drug Implants
Female
Humans
Levonorgestrel
Norgestrel / administration & dosage*,  adverse effects,  blood
Pregnancy
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Contraceptive Agents, Female; 0/Drug Implants; 6533-00-2/Norgestrel; 797-63-7/Levonorgestrel

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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