A new vaginal antimicrobial contraceptive formulation: phase I clinical pilot studies

Pilot clinical trials were performed with a new vaginal suppository called "Long Acting, Sustained Release of Spermicide" ("LASRS"). No visual or colposcopic lesions or patient complaints occurred as a result of using LASRS with increasing doses of nonoxynol-9 (up to 20%) for 5 days or of applying the highest dose of nonoxynol-9 (20%; total 400 mg) for 8 h. Colposcopic or visual lesions were also not induced when LASRS with 20% nonoxynol-9 was used for 7 consecutive days by the study participants except for those who developed symptomatic monilia vaginitis. Symptoms were reported although these were mostly minor. A long-lasting, bioadhesive, translucent layer (film) of formulation formed over the vaginal and cervical surfaces. Postcoital spermicidal studies showed LASRS to be highly effective for prolonged periods of time. Although intercourse was delayed for 5 to 8.5 h after insertion of the formulation, an average of only 0.2 motile sperm/HPF could be found in cervical mucus. These studies suggest LASRS to possess advantages over presently marketed formulations by having long-term efficacy and by forming a bioadhesive, presumably protective layer over the genital tract epithelium. The results also suggest the formulation to decrease the vaginal irritation caused by nonoxynol-9 as noted by colposcopy. These pilot data support a more extensive study with the LASRS suppository. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.