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Dienogest

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Abstract

  • ▴ The progestogen dienogest exhibits highly selective binding to the progesterone receptor. It has high progestational and significant antiandrogenic activity, but only moderate antigonadotrophic activity.

  • ▴ Dienogest inhibits ovulation, produces secretory transformation of the endometrium and has antiproliferative effects.

  • ▴ Oral dienogest 2 mg/day plus ethinylestradiol 30 μg/day provides effective contraception (Pearl Index approximately 0.2). Cycle stability is good during long term use of this combination; irregular vaginal bleeding was evident in 6% of women after 12 months’ use.

  • ▴ Androgenic symptoms (including hirsutism, seborrhoea, alopecia, acne vulgaris and hair and skin greasiness) improved in women treated with dienogest plus ethinylestradiol.

  • ▴ The adverse events associated with dienogest are typical of those expected of a progestogen. The drug does not produce androgenic adverse effects and has little clinically significant effect on metabolic, lipid and haemostatic parameters.

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  1. Adis International Limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 10, New Zealand

    Rachel H. Foster & Michelle I. Wilde

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  1. Rachel H. Foster
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  2. Michelle I. Wilde
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Correspondence to Rachel H. Foster.

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Foster, R.H., Wilde, M.I. Dienogest. Drugs 56, 825–833 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199856050-00007

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199856050-00007

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