Pharmacokinetic Interactions between the Hormonal Emergency Contraception, Levonorgestrel (Plan B), and Efavirenz

Objectives. Compare the Plan B levonorgestrel (LNG) area under the concentration- time curve (AUC12) prior to and with efavirenz (EFV).Design. Prospective, open-label, single-arm, equivalence study.Methods. Healthy HIV-negative subjects underwent 12 hr intensive pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling following single dose LNG alone and after 14 days of EFV. Geometric means, Geometric Mean Ratios, and 90% confidence intervals (CI) are reported for PK Parameters.T-tests were utilized. Clinical parameters and liver function tests (LFTs) were assessed.Results. 24 women enrolled and 21 completed the study. With EFV, LNG AUC12was reduced 56% (95% CI: 49%, 62%) from 42.9 to 17.8 ng*hr/mL, and maximum concentration (Cmax⁡) was reduced 41% (95% CI: 33%, 50%) from 8.4 to 4.6 ng/mL. LNG was well tolerated with no grade 3 or 4 treatment-related toxicities.Conclusions. EFV significantly reduced LNG exposures. Higher LNG doses may be required with EFV. These results reinforce the importance of effective contraception in women taking EFV.