Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Anemia/complications , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Deficiency Diseases/complications , Developed Countries/statistics & numerical data , Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data , Dietary Supplements , Female , Health Planning/organization & administration , Humans , India/epidemiology , Infant , Iron/administration & dosage , Male , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Rural Population/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
In view of our previous studies that the plasma elimination of norethisterone (NET) from mini pill is faster in low socio-economic group Indian women, the present studies were contemplated to find the least effective dosage of NET from combination pills. Pharmacokinetics of NET were evaluated in a total of twenty women of low socio-economic group taking pills containing NET-acetate (500 micrograms or 1 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (30 or 50 micrograms respectively) on empty stomach. Blood samples were drawn at different time intervals from 0.5 to 24 hr and plasma NET was estimated by a specific radio-immunoassay. In the women taking 1 mg NET-acetate containing pills peak plasma levels ranging from 6.2 to 20.8 ng/ml were observed at 1 hr whereas with 500 micrograms pill they ranged from 2.0 to 6.5 ng/ml and the peak was noted at 4 hr. Pharmacokinetic parameters of NET were more or less comparable between the two pills. The results suggest that pills containing 500 micrograms NET-acetate and 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol provide adequate levels of NET even in low-socio-economic group women.