Norgestrel

Norgestrel, sold under the brand name <a href="/facts/Opill/c4ubTchT">Opill</a> among others, is a <a href="/facts/Progestin/8xMJYV3A">progestin</a> which is used in <a href="/facts/Birth_control_pill/Wudd4dH7">birth control pills</a>. It is often combined with the <a href="/facts/Estrogen/dPEewnDV">estrogen</a> <a href="/facts/Ethinylestradiol/aYRGLz8n">ethinylestradiol</a>, marketed as Ovral. It is also used in <a href="/facts/Menopausal_hormone_therapy/d3KW80rn">menopausal hormone therapy</a>. It is taken <a href="/facts/Oral_administration/vNQcvLVx">by mouth</a>.
<a href="/facts/Side_effect/PhuX2haY">Side effects</a> of norgestrel include <a href="/facts/Menstrual_irregularities/U1Ax6t6F">menstrual irregularities</a>, <a href="/facts/Headache/mdmmC9DP">headaches</a>, <a href="/facts/Nausea/dyhkcbeD">nausea</a>, and <a href="/facts/Breast_tenderness/lgVfXrUy">breast tenderness</a>. The most common side effects of the norgestrel include irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating. Norgestrel is a <a href="/facts/Progestin/8xMJYV3A">progestin</a>, or a <a href="/facts/Synthetic_compound/gqCNaN45">synthetic</a> <a href="/facts/Progestogen_(medication)/8xMJYV3A">progestogen</a>, and hence is an <a href="/facts/Agonist/nz8U5NNp">agonist</a> of the <a href="/facts/Progesterone_receptor/B8W2o28f">progesterone receptor</a>, the <a href="/facts/Biological_target/7bakbMFR">biological target</a> of progestogens like <a href="/facts/Progesterone/WEj2TGRm">progesterone</a>. It has weak <a href="/facts/Androgen/Rxey0HxX">androgenic</a> activity and no other important hormonal activity.
Norgestrel was patented in 1961 and came into medical use, specifically in birth control pills, in 1966. It was subsequently introduced for use in menopausal hormone therapy as well. Norgestrel is sometimes referred to as a "second-generation" progestin. It is marketed widely throughout the world. Norgestrel is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_drug/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. In 2022, the version with <a href="/facts/Ethinylestradiol/aYRGLz8n">ethinylestradiol</a> was the 264th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions. In July 2023, the US <a href="/facts/Food_and_Drug_Administration/rCEnh9WB">Food and Drug Administration</a> (FDA) approved norgestrel for <a href="/facts/Over-the-counter/QI3FcgRf">over-the-counter</a> sale.

Norgestrel open-in-new

Norgestrel