Use of dydrogesterone as a progestogen for oral contraception.
Dydrogesterone is a potent orally active progestogen that has been used in clinical practice for over 40 years. Chemically, it belongs to the class of retrosteroids. Dydrogesterone is closely related to endogenous progesterone. It differs from most other synthetic progestogens in that it has no estrogenic, androgenic, glucocorticoid, or anabolic effects. The use of progestogens such as dydrogesterone is indicated in all cases of relative or absolute endogenous progesterone deficiency. Nowadays, dydrogesterone is mainly used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The present pilot study explored whether dydrogesterone could also be used as a progestogen for oral contraception. Given its highly favorable safety and tolerability profile, it would provide improvement over existing progestogens currently used in oral contraceptives (OCs). The results of this study indicate that dydrogesterone might indeed be a suitable candidate for use in oral contraception. This concept is currently being investigated further in two open-label phase II trials.
Coelingh Bennink
Herjan J T
HJ
Pantarhei Bioscience, Institute for Clinical Concept Research in Reproductive Medicine, Boslaan 11, P.O. Box 464, 3700 AL Zeist, The Netherlands. hcb@pantarheibio.com
Boerrigter
Peter J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003267:Contraception; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011372:Progestins / Q000378:metabolism*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D011372:Progestins; D004394:Dydrogesterone