Decrease in cytotoxicity of copper-based intrauterine devices (IUD) pretreated with 6-mercaptopurine and pterin as biocompatible corrosion inhibitors.

The copper intrauterine device (IUD) based its contraceptive action on the release of cupric ions from a copper wire. Immediately after the insertion, a burst release of copper ions occurs, which may be associated to a variety of side effects. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and pterin (PT) have been proposed as corrosion inhibitors to reduce this harmful release.