What new spermicides are in development?

In the absence of evidence that N-9 works against HIV, new products are in development to help fill the void. Penelope Hitchcock, DVM, chief of the STD branch of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, MD, says she has developed an initiative at NIAID to explore new microbicides for women.

"We are in the process of developing and helping manufacturers develop new products," she says. Those new products include the following:¹

· a naphthalene sulphonate polymer, "PRO 2000," which has been found to be active against HIV-1, genital herpes, and possibly chlamydia;

· a so-called "invisible condom," a gel that is liquid at room temperature, but hardens into a firm gel in the vagina, acting as a physical barrier to viruses and bacteria;

· a combination product that contains octoxynol 9, which is similar to N-9, and the antimicrobial chlorhexidine, which appears to reduce the risk of vaginal irritation and provides protection against gonorrhea and chlamydia;

· substances called "protegrins," which are special synthetic peptides originally developed from pig leukocytes;

· a "vaginal vitamin" or gelatin suppository containing lactobacilli to protect the vagina against infection.

^Reference

1. Larkin M. Easing the way to safer sex. Lancet 1998; 351:964.