Absorption
No specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of levonorgestrel in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability about 100%) and is not subject to first pass metabolism.
After a single dose of levonorgestrel (0.75 mg) administered to 16 women under fasting conditions, the maximum serum concentrations of levonorgestrel were 14.1 + 7.7 ng/mL (mean + SD) at an average of 1.6 + 0.7 hours.
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|
|
|
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| Mean (± SD)
|
| Cmax (ng/mL)
| Tmax
(h)
| CL (L/h)
| Vd
(L)
| t½ (h)
| AUCinf ( ng/mL.h)
|
Levonorgestrel
| 14.1 (7.7)
| 1.6 (0.7)
| 7.7 (2.7)
| 260.0
| 24.4 (5.3)
| 123.1 (50.1)
|
Effect of Food: The effect of food on the rate and the extent of levonorgestrel absorption following single oral administration of levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg have not been evaluated.
Distribution
The apparent volume of distribution of levonorgestrel is reported to be approximately 1.8 L/kg. It is about 97.5 to 99% protein-bound, principally to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and, to a lesser extent, serum albumin.
Metabolism
Following absorption, levonorgestrel is conjugated at the 17β-OH position to form sulfate conjugates and, to a lesser extent, glucuronide conjugates in plasma. Significant amounts of conjugated and unconjugated 3α, 5β-tetrahydrolevonorgestrel are also present in plasma, along with much smaller amounts of 3α, 5α-tetrahydrolevonorgestrel and 16βhydroxylevonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel and its phase I metabolites are excreted primarily as glucuronide conjugates. Metabolic clearance rates may differ among individuals by several-fold, and this may account in part for the wide variation observed in levonorgestrel concentrations among users.
Excretion
About 45% of levonorgestrel and its metabolites are excreted in the urine and about 32% are excreted in feces, mostly as glucuronide conjugates.
Specific Populations
Pediatric
This product is not intended for use in the pediatric (pre-menarcheal) population, and pharmacokinetic data are not available for this population.
Geriatric
This product is not intended for use in postmenopausal women and pharmacokinetic data are not available for this population.
Race
No formal studies have evaluated the effect of race on pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg. However, clinical trials demonstrated a higher pregnancy rate in Chinese women with both levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg and the Yuzpe regimen (another form of emergency contraception). The reason for this apparent increase in the pregnancy rate with emergency contraceptives in Chinese women is unknown [see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.6)].
Hepatic Impairment
No formal studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of hepatic disease on the disposition of levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg.
Renal Impairment
No formal studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of renal disease on the disposition of levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg.
Drug-Drug Interactions
No formal drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg [see DRUG INTERACTIONS (7)].