A randomized cross-over study comparing pharmacodynamic and metabolic variables of a new combiphasic and a well-established triphasic oral contraceptive

Abstract

In an open-label, randomized, cross-over study in 20 subjects, the short-term effects were investigated of Gracial® (DSG/EE 7 × 25/40 μg/day + 15 × 125/30 μg/day) and Trigynon® (LNG/EE 6 × 50/30 μg/day + 5 × 75/40 μg/day + 10 × 125/30 μg/day) on plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and progesterone as well as on carrier proteins (SHBG, CBG, ceruloplasmin), AT-III, carbohydrate metabolism (insulin, glucose, glycosylated proteins) and lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, HDL-C, LDL-C, HDL,-C, HDL₃-C, HDL₂-C/HDL₃-C ratio, Apo A₁, Apo B, Apo A₁/Apo B ratio).

Both preparations adequately and similarly inhibited ovulation in all subjects. Serum levels of carrier proteins were significantly higher with DSG/EE than with LNG/EE, whereas no between-group differences were observed with respect to fasting glucose and insulin, glycosylated proteins (mainly glycosylated albumin) and AT-III activity. DSG/EE showed significantly higher plasma levels than LNG/EE of estrogen-dependent lipid parameters such as triglycerides, HDL-C, HDL₂-C, Apo A₁, HDL₂-C/HDL₃-C ratio and Apo A₁/Apo B ratio, whereas the levels of LDL-C and Apo B were significantly lower. Both oral contraceptive preparations were equally effective in suppression of follicular development, but combiphasic DSG/EE induced higher plasma levels of carrier proteins and higher plasma levels of potentially anti-atherogenic lipid parameters than did triphasic LNG/EE.

Key Words:

• Desogestrel
• Levonorgestrel
• Combiphasic
• Triphasic
• Oral contraceptive
• Pharmacodynamics

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. B. P. Geurts

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.