Four-year clinical evaluation of quinacrine pellets for non-surgical female sterilization

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and acceptability of two monthly transcervical applications of quinacrine 252 mg and ibuprofen 55.5 mg as pellets for non-surgical female sterilization. From August 1992 through October 1996, a prospective clinical study was conducted on 200 normal women seeking surgical sterilization voluntarily in the Family Planning Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regency Hospital, Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia. Quinacrine 252 mg and ibuprofen 55.5 mg were inserted transcervically, as pellets, using a Copper T IUD insertor in the proliferative phase of two consecutive menstrual cycles. The women were followed up 6, 12, 24 and 48 months after insertion. There were no major complications during the insertion procedures, and side-effects which occurred during the use of the methods were transient. Cumulative life-table continuation rate per 100 women at four years was 0.91+/-0.02 (SE). The pregnancy failure rate was 0.04 or 4.3%. The results of this study indicate that intrauterine insertion of quinacrine pellets is a safe, acceptable and effective method of non-surgical female sterilization.