Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate

Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate

Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate is a synthetic, nonsteroidal estrogen that was formerly used in medicine. It is an ester of diethylstilbestrol with palmitic acid. Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate is more fat-soluble than diethylstilbestrol and is said to have a prolonged duration of action when taken by mouth due to slow absorption from the lipid tissue.

History

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was first synthesized in the late 1930s, and its estrogenic properties were quickly recognized. Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate was developed as a more long-acting form of DES. It was used in the mid-20th century to treat a variety of estrogen-related conditions, including menopausal symptoms and certain types of breast cancer.

Pharmacology

Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate acts as an agonist of the estrogen receptor, like other forms of DES. When ingested, it is stored in fat cells and slowly released into the bloodstream, where it can exert its estrogenic effects over a prolonged period of time.

Side Effects and Risks

Like other forms of DES, diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate has been associated with a range of side effects and risks. These include an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. It has also been linked to DES syndrome, a condition affecting the children of women who took DES during pregnancy.

Current Use

Diethylstilbestrol dipalmitate is no longer used in medicine due to its side effects and risks. However, it is still used in research, particularly in studies investigating the effects of long-term estrogen exposure.

See Also

• Diethylstilbestrol
• Estrogen
• Estrogen receptor
• DES syndrome

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