Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate non-hormonal prescription vaginal pH modulator (VPM) gel for the prevention of pregnancy

Autor: Shanna Su, Kathleen L Vincent
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology. 15:659-670
ISSN: 1751-2441
1751-2433
DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2022.2100347
Popis: A non-hormonal prescription vaginal pH modulator (VPM) gel (Phexxi®), with active ingredients lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate, has recently been approved for prevention of pregnancy in the United States. The objective of this review is to compile the evidence available from published preclinical and clinical trials to support its use.PubMed was searched for published literature on VPM gel. Two Phase III trials were found on clinicaltrials.gov database. The results demonstrated that VPM gel is safe, with minimal side effects, and effective (cumulative 6-7 cycle pregnancy rate of 4.1-13.65%, (Pearl Index 27.5) as a contraceptive. Microbicidal effects suggest potential for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); currently a Phase III clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea.Non-hormonal reversible contraceptive options have been limited to the highly effective copper-releasing intrauterine device that requires insertion by a trained clinician, and less effective coitally associated barrier and spermicide options which are typically available over-the-counter. Spermicides, which improve efficacy of barrier devices, may increase the risk of HIV/STIs. VPM gel provides a new safe, effective non-hormonal contraceptive option, with potential for prevention of STIs.
Databáze: OpenAIRE