PHARMACOKINETICS OF NORETHINDRONE IN INDIAN WOMEN

Pharmacokinetics of norethindrone (NET) was evaluated in eleven women belonging to a low socio-economic group and in five women belonging to the high socio-economic group after the administration of an oral dose of 0.35 mg NET minipill on an empty stomach. Blood samples were collected at different intervals of time over a period of 24 hours. Plasma NET was estimated by radioimmunoassay. In all women, peak levels of NET occurred within 1-2 hours and a semi-log plot of plasma NET levels showed a biexponential decline. The half-life of plasma NET clearance was relatively shorter in women of low socio-economic group with poor nutritional status as indicated by anthropometrie indices, as compared to that in well nourished women of high socio-economic group. There was a significant positive correlation between weight (height)2 × 100 index on the one hand and t 1 2 (β) on the other in all the women studied, thereby suggesting a role for nutritional status in the metabolic handling Of NET. © 1979.