Toxicology and spermicidal activity of a new contraceptive cream containing chlorindanol and laureth 9

Abstract

Lanettes® is a new contraceptive aerosol cream formulation containing two spermicidal ingredients: 7-chloro-4-indanol, and laureth 9, a polyoxyethylene lauryl ether. The aerosol cream was tested by three recognized spermicidal test procedures and was found to be a highly spermicidal preparation. Spermatozoa were immobilized in less than 20 seconds even after a 100-fold dilution. This preparation is a nongreasy, nonsoapy, nonstaining preparation and has moniliastatic and trichomonacidal properties. The individual dose units are so designed that the entire contents of the glass vial can be deposited in the vaginal vault. Expansion occurs in the vagina rather than in the dispenser, and the foam coats the vaginal walls and the streaming mucus and blocks a normally positioned cervical os. The aerosol cream was nonirritating to vaginal and cervical mucosae of beagle dogs when deposited 79 times in 183 days and it failed to adversely affect the animals in any way. Thirteen male volunteers repeatedly applied liberal amounts of the aerosol cream to penile surfaces for 8 hours or longer, four times a week for 2 weeks, and observed no ill effects. A challenge application 2 weeks later failed to elicit sensitization.