Effects of oral contraceptives - Microgynon and Primolut-N on plasma creatinine of wistar albino rat

Oral contraceptives such as Microgynon a combined pill (0.15mg levonorgestrel and 0.03mg ethinylestradiol) and Primolut -N a mini pill (5mg norethisterone) were investigated for their Invivo effects on wistar albino rat plasma creatinine levels. Test results showed that the drugs raised plasma creatinine levels in a concentration dependent manner but the increase in creatinine levels were not time dependent. The highest increase of 300% was observed for Microgynon at the highest concentration of 3.60µg/100g body wt (354 ± 0.00 µmol/l). The highest increase obtained for Primolut-N was 182.75% (236 ± 29.50µmol/l). The differences in dosage were statistically significant on the effect of the drugs on the p asma creatinine levels at 95.0% confidence level (P<0.05). Creatinine is a protein breakdown product and its level is a reflection of the bodies muscle mass, but unlike urea, creatinine is almost independent of diet. Since theblood level reflects the balance between production and excretion, it varies little from day to day if renal function remains constant. This result makes it imperative that kidney function tests are needed for women before using these drugs.