Progestins

Progestins

Compounds that interact with PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of PROGESTERONE. Primary actions of progestins, including natural and synthetic steroids, are on the UTERUS and the MAMMARY GLAND in preparation for and in maintenance of PREGNANCY.

Information about Progestins

Progestins are compounds with biological activities similar to progesterone.

List of Progestins

Progestins developed for clinical use include desogestrel, dydrogesterone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, 19-nortestosterone, norethindrone, norgestrel and norgestimate, among others.

Oral contraceptives

Many of these progestins are used in combination with estrogens in oral contraceptives. In addition, some are used alone as contraceptive agents and to treat secondary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, infertility and premature labor. Progestins have also been used to treat progesterone sensitive cancers (endometrial, renal, breast), and as therapy of anorexia and cachexia due to cancer chemotherapy or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Progestins used without estrogens include (with common brand names and year of approval in the United States): medroxyprogesterone (Provera and others: 1959), megestrol (Megase: 1971) and norethindrone (Camila, Errin, Micronor, Aygestin: 1973).

Side effects of Progestins

Common side effects of progestin therapies include nausea, headaches, anxiety, weight gain, edema and breast tenderness and engorgement.

Obstetrical and Gynecological Agents

• Emergency contraceptive agents
  • Levonorgestrel, Ulipristal

• Estrogens and Oral contraceptives

• • Selective estrogen receptor modulators
    • Bazedoxifene, Ospemifene, Raloxifene
  • Infertility agents

• Antiestrogens
  • Clomiphene, Letrozole, Tamoxifen

• Gonadotropins
  • Chorionic gonadotropin, Follicle stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone, Human gonadotropin releasing hormone

• Pregnancy termination agents
  • Mifepristone
• Progesterone and the Progestins

• Dailymed label info on Progestins
• FDA Progestins

Progestins Resources
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