Gestodene: a review of its pharmacology, potency and tolerability in combined contraceptive preparations.
Combined progestin-estrogen pills are an established and reliable contraceptive option used by women worldwide. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing the progestins--gestodene, desogestrel or norgestimate--were developed to minimize androgenic side effects and are considered an effective, well-tolerated contraceptive option. Gestodene achieves contraceptive efficacy with the lowest dose of any progestin in a COC, and has an established and favorable short- and long-term tolerability profile. In this review we present an overview of the pharmacology, potency and tolerability of gestodene.
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: fstanczyk@socal.rr.com.
Frank Z
FZ
Stanczyk
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
David F
DF
Archer
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D009652:Norpregnenes; D011372:Progestins; C033273:Gestodene
Combined oral contraceptives; Ethinyl estradiol; Gestodene; Pharmacology; Review