The pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel and ethynylestradiol in women - studies with Ovran and Ovranette.

A radioimmunoassay for levonorgestrel (Ng), which is applicable to plasma samples obtained from women who have taken a combination type oral contraceptive, has been developed and fully validated. Plasma concentrations of Ng rise to a peak of 3.6 ng/ml after an oral dose of 150 microgram and to 5.0 ng/ml after a 250 microgram dose. Following the intravenous administration of Ng, plasma concentrations of the steroid decline bi-exponentially with mean half-lives of 0.76 and 11.55 hours. Comparison of the results of the intravenous and oral administration of the steroid show a mean systemic bioavailability of 89% after the 150 microgram dose and 99% after a 250 microgram dose. This difference was not statistically significant. The values for volume of distribution were approximately half and the values for plasma clearance three times less than that previously reported for norethindrone. The plasma ethynylestradiol levels were also measured following administration of 30 microgram both intravenously and orally. The bioavailability and kinetics were similar to that previously reported for a 50 microgram dose. The peak values after oral dosing were 103 pg/ml and were reached by 1.0 hour in all subjects.