norgestimate

Norgestimate is used in hormonal contraception and in menopausal hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. It is used in combination with ethinylestradiol in birth control pills and in combination with estradiol in menopausal hormone therapy.

Norgestimate is available only in combination with the estrogens ethinylestradiol and estradiol. These formulations are for use by mouth and are indicated specifically for hormonal contraception and menopausal hormone therapy. Norgestimate is not available on its own (i.e., as a standalone medication).

{{See also|Progestin#Contraindications}}

{{See also|Norelgestromin#Side effects|Progestin#Side effects}}

Norgestimate has mostly been studied in combination with an estrogen, so the side effects of norgestimate specifically or on its own have not been well-defined.

Side effects associated with the combination of ethinylestradiol and norgestimate in premenopausal women, with greater than or equal to 2% incidence over up to 24 menstrual cycles, include headache/migraine (33%), abdominal/gastrointestinal pain (7.8%), vaginal infection (8.4%), vaginal discharge (6.8%), breast issues (including breast pain, discharge, and enlargement) (6.3%), mood disorders (including depression and mood alterations) (5.0%), flatulence (3.2%), nervousness (2.9%), and rash (2.6%).

Side effects associated with the combination of estradiol and norgestimate in postmenopausal women, with greater than or equal to 5% incidence over one year, include headache (23%), upper respiratory tract infection (21%), breast pain (16%), back pain (12%), abdominal pain (12%), flu-like symptoms (11%), arthralgia (9%), vaginal bleeding (9%), dysmenorrhea (8%), sinusitis (8%), vaginitis (7%), pharyngitis (7%), fatigue (6%), pain (6%), nausea (6%), viral infection (6%), flatulence (5%), tooth disorder (5%), myalgia (5%), dizziness (5%), depression (5%), and coughing (5%).

{{See also|Progestin#Overdose}}

{{See also|Progestin#Interactions}}

File:Norelgestromin.svg, also known as 17β-deacetylnorgestimate, the main active metabolite of norgestimate.]]

Norgestimate is a rapidly and completely converted prodrug, mainly of norelgestromin (17β-deacetylnorgestimate or levonorgestrel 3-oxime), but also of levonorgestrel (3-keto-17β-deacetylnorgestimate) to a lesser extent (22 ± 6% of an administered dose or about 40–70 μg) and of levonorgestrel acetate (levonorgestrel 17β-acetate) in very small amounts.{{cite book| vauthors = Falcone T, Hurd WW |title=Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fOPtaEIKvcIC&pg=PA389|year=2007|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-03309-1|pages=389–}}{{cite book| author1=IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans|author2=World Health Organization|author3=International Agency for Research on Cancer|title=Combined Estrogen-progestogen Contraceptives and Combined Estrogen-progestogen Menopausal Therapy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGDU5xibtNgC&pg=PA151|year=2007|publisher=World Health Organization|isbn=978-92-832-1291-1|pages=150–151}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Stanczyk FZ | title = Pharmacokinetics and potency of progestins used for hormone replacement therapy and contraception | journal = Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders | volume = 3 | issue = 3 | pages = 211–224 | date = September 2002 | pmid = 12215716 | doi = 10.1023/A:1020072325818 | s2cid = 27018468 }} Via its active metabolites, norgestimate has progestogenic activity, antigonadotropic effects, very weak androgenic activity, and no other important hormonal activity.

Norgestimate is a progestogen, or an agonist of the progesterone receptor. The relative binding affinities of norgestimate and its active metabolites for the progesterone receptor compared to promegestone (100%) are 15% for norgestimate, 10% for norelgestromin, 150% for levonorgestrel, and 135% for levonorgestrel acetate. Because of their low concentrations, norgestimate and levonorgestrel acetate are not thought to contribute significantly to the biological activity of norgestimate. In addition, although levonorgestrel binds to the progesterone receptor with much higher affinity than norelgestromin, levonorgestrel has high affinity for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (87% of that of testosterone), which may limit its activity, whereas norelgestromin does not bind to SHBG. The ovulation-inhibiting dosage of norgestimate is 200 μg/day.

In addition to its progestogenic activity, norgestimate has weak androgenic activity. However, the medication shows less androgenic activity than related 19-nortestosterone progestins like levonorgestrel and norethisterone.{{cite journal | vauthors = Chapdelaine A, Desmarais JL, Derman RJ | title = Clinical evidence of the minimal androgenic activity of norgestimate | journal = International Journal of Fertility | volume = 34 | issue = 5 | pages = 347–352 | year = 1989 | pmid = 2571595 }} Norgestimate and norelgestromin have negligible affinity for the androgen receptor (both 0% of the affinity of metribolone), while levonorgestrel has considerable affinity for the androgen receptor (45% of that of metribolone). In addition to their lack of affinity for the androgen receptor, norgestimate and norelgestromin have virtually no affinity for SHBG, and therefore do not displace testosterone from this carrier protein (although levonorgestrel does still bind with high affinity to SHBG and hence could increase free testosterone levels via occupation of SHBG). In accordance, clinical trials of norgestimate have observed minimal androgenic side effects in women treated with the medication. As an example, clinical studies have found that norgestimate does not appreciably inhibit the increase in SHBG levels produced by ethinylestradiol. This is of interest because estrogens increase and androgens decrease liver production of SHBG and by extension circulating levels of SHBG.

The relative binding affinity of norgestimate and its metabolite norelgestromin for the rat prostatic androgen receptor (AR) are 0.3% and 1.3% of those of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), respectively, whereas the respective values for levonorgestrel and gestodene are 22% and 15%.{{cite journal | vauthors = Phillips A, Hahn DW, McGuire JL | title = Preclinical evaluation of norgestimate, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity | journal = American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | volume = 167 | issue = 4 Pt 2 | pages = 1191–1196 | date = October 1992 | pmid = 1415445 | doi = 10.1016/s0002-9378(12)90410-x }} Based on these findings, the ratios of AR to PR binding are 219 for norgestimate and 48 for norelgestromin, whereas the ratios for progesterone, levonorgestrel, and gestodene are 93, 11, and 28, respectively. As such, norgestimate and norelgestromin would appear to have much lower androgenic potency than other 19-nortestosterone progestins. However, levonorgestrel is an important metabolite of both norgestimate and norelgestromin, and it may serve to increase their androgenic potency to some degree.

When norgestimate is combined with ethinylestradiol, which is potently antiandrogenic, there are only antiandrogenic effects overall and the combination is suitable for treatment of hyperandrogenism.

Norgestimate and its active metabolites do not bind to other steroid hormone receptors besides the progesterone and androgen receptors and hence have no other off-target hormonal activity. This includes estrogenic, glucocorticoid, antimineralocorticoid, and neurosteroid activity. However, levonorgestrel has been found to inhibit 5α-reductase and hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro to some extent.

Norgestimate is rapidly and almost completely metabolized into its active metabolites, mainly norelgestromin (the primary active metabolite) and to a lesser extent levonorgestrel, upon oral ingestion. As a result, only very low concentrations (70 pg/mL) of norgestimate itself are detectable in the circulation, and only for about 6 hours after an oral dose.{{cite book| vauthors = Mishell DR |title=Progestins and Antiprogestins in Clinical Practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vGJJHsJASekC|date=10 November 1999|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-8247-8291-7|pages=133–151}} The oral bioavailability of norgestimate is unknown. This is due to the rapid and extensive metabolism of norgestimate, which makes determination of overall bioavailability difficult and necessitates methods other than area-under-the-curve (AUC) to do so. Peak levels of norelgestromin (3,500 pg/mL) are reached at approximately 2 hours following administration of norgestimate.{{cite journal | vauthors = Henzl MR | title = Norgestimate. From the laboratory to three clinical indications | journal = The Journal of Reproductive Medicine | volume = 46 | issue = 7 | pages = 647–661 | date = July 2001 | pmid = 11499185 }} Co-administration of norgestimate with a high-fat meal has been found to significantly decrease peak levels of norelgestromin, although the area-under-the-curve levels of norelgestromin are not significantly altered by food. Steady-state levels of norelgestromin and levonorgestrel are reached within 21 days of treatment with norgestimate. There is an approximate 2-fold accumulation in levels of norelgestromin and a non-linear approximate 8-fold accumulation in levels of levonorgestrel with continuous administration of norgestimate. The accumulation of levonorgestrel is thought to be a result of its high affinity for SHBG, which limits its biological activity. The plasma protein binding of norelgestromin is approximately 99% and it is bound to albumin but not to SHBG. Conversely, levonorgestrel is approximately 98% bound to plasma proteins and is bound to both albumin and SHBG.

Norgestimate is extensively metabolized into its active metabolites during first-pass metabolism in the liver and intestines. The major metabolite of norgestimate is norelgestromin and is formed from norgestimate via deacetylation in the liver and intestines. A more minor metabolite of norgestimate is levonorgestrel, which accounts for 20 to 25% (22 ± 6%) of an administered dose or about 40 to 70 μg norgestimate, and a very minor metabolite of norgestimate is levonorgestrel 17β-acetate. Both of these metabolites are active similarly to norgelstromin. With a typical oral contraceptive dosage of norgestimate of 200 to 250 μg/day, an amount of 50 to 60 μg/day levonorgestrel may be produced. This is similar to the ovulation-inhibiting dosage of levonorgestrel, and suggests that norgestimate may act in considerable part as a prodrug specifically of levonorgestrel. Following their formation, the active metabolites of norgestimate are inactivated via reduction, hydroxylation, and conjugation into levonorgestrel metabolites. The terminal half-life of norelgestromin is between 17 and 37 hours and of levonorgestrel is between 24 and 32 hours. The metabolites of norgestimate are eliminated 47% in urine and 37% in feces. Unchanged norgestimate is undetectable in urine.

{{See also|List of progestogens|Progestogen ester|List of progestogen esters}}

Norgestimate, also known as 17α-ethynyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone 3-oxime 17β-acetate or as 17α-ethynyl-18-methylestr-4-en-17β-ol-3-one 3-oxime 17β-acetate, is a synthetic estrane steroid and a derivative of testosterone. It is a racemic mixture of E and Z isomers.{{Cite patent | country = US | number = 7345183 |url=https://www.google.com/patents/US7345183|title = Process for obtaining norelgestromin in different relations of isomers e and Z | assign1 = Gador SA | inventor = Tombari DG, Vecchioli A | gdate = 18 March 2008 }} Norgestimate is more specifically a derivative of norethisterone (17α-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone) and is a member of the gonane (18-methylestrane) subgroup of the 19-nortestosterone family of progestins.{{cite book| vauthors = Schreiber CA, Barnhart K | chapter = Chapter 36 - Contraception | veditors = Strauss JF, Barbieri RL |title=Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management| chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NudwnhxY8kYC&pg=PA878|year=2009|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4160-4907-4|pages=878–}} It is the C3 oxime and C17β acetate ester of levonorgestrel and is also known as levonorgestrel acetate oxime.{{cite book| vauthors = Skouby SO |title=Clinical Perspectives on a New Gestodene Oral Contraceptive Containing 20 μg of Ethinylestradiol|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IYj54F5zvM4C&pg=PA11|date=15 July 1997|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-85070-786-8|pages=11–}} A related compound is norethisterone acetate oxime (norethisterone-3-oxime 17β-acetate).

Norgestimate was introduced as a component of combined oral contraceptives in 1986.{{cite book | vauthors = van Keep PA, Rekers H | chapter = Trends in Contraception and Contraceptive Research | veditors = Runnebaum BC, Rabe T, Kiesel L |title=Female Contraception: Update and Trends |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LtT6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 |date=6 December 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-642-73790-9|pages=13–}} Based on its year of introduction, norgestimate is sometimes described as a "third-generation" progestin. Norgestimate was approved in combination with estradiol for use in menopausal hormone therapy in 1999 in the United States, and a generic version of this preparation became available in this country in 2005.{{cite book|author=Food and Drug Administration|title=Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations - FDA Orange Book 33rd Edition (2013): FDA Orange Book 33rd Edition (2013)|date=15 August 2023 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uSMDAAAQBAJ&pg=PR190|publisher=Logos Press|isbn=978-1-934899-83-0|pages=190–}}

Norgestimate is the generic name of the drug and its {{abbrlink|INN|International Nonproprietary Name}}, {{abbrlink|USAN|United States Adopted Name}}, {{abbrlink|USP|United States Pharmacopeia}}, {{abbrlink|BAN|British Approved Name}}, and {{abbrlink|DCF|Dénomination Commune Française}}.{{cite book| vauthors = Elks J |title=The Dictionary of Drugs: Chemical Data: Chemical Data, Structures and Bibliographies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vXTBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA887|date=14 November 2014|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4757-2085-3|pages=887–}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.drugs.com/international/norgestimate.html|title = Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses}} It is also known by its developmental code name ORF-10131.

Norgestimate is marketed in combination with ethinylestradiol as a birth control pill under the brand names Amicette, Cilest, Cyclen, Edelsin, Effiprev, Estarylla, MonoNessa, Orlon, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, Ortho-Cyclen, Pramino, Previfem, Sprintec, Triafemi, TriCilest, Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Cyclen LO, Tridette, Tri-Estarylla, Tri-Linyah, TriNessa, Tri-Previfem, and Tri-Sprintec. It is marketed in combination with estradiol for menopausal hormone therapy under the brand name Prefest.

Norgestimate in combination with ethinylestradiol is marketed widely throughout the world, including in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, elsewhere throughout Europe, South Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Unlike the combined birth control pills of norgestimate with ethinylestradiol, the combination of norgestimate with estradiol, sold under the brand name Prefest for menopausal hormone therapy, is reportedly only marketed in the United States and Brazil.

A 2017 study found that norgestimate inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation and resensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to β-lactam antibiotics.{{cite journal | vauthors = Yoshii Y, Okuda KI, Yamada S, Nagakura M, Sugimoto S, Nagano T, Okabe T, Kojima H, Iwamoto T, Kuwano K, Mizunoe Y | display-authors = 6 | title = Norgestimate inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation and resensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to β-lactam antibiotics | journal = npj Biofilms and Microbiomes | volume = 3 | pages = 18 | date = 2017 | pmid = 28758016 | pmc = 5522392 | doi = 10.1038/s41522-017-0026-1 }} In contrast, norelgestromin showed much weaker activity, indicating that the acetyl group of norgestimate is important for the activity. It was suggested by the researchers that norgestimate may be a promising lead compound for the development of new antibiotics.

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal | vauthors = Henzl MR | title = Norgestimate. From the laboratory to three clinical indications | journal = The Journal of Reproductive Medicine | volume = 46 | issue = 7 | pages = 647–661 | date = July 2001 | pmid = 11499185 }}
• {{cite journal | vauthors = Curran MP, Wagstaff AJ | title = Estradiol and norgestimate: a review of their combined use as hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women | journal = Drugs & Aging | volume = 18 | issue = 11 | pages = 863–885 | date = 2001 | pmid = 11772126 | doi = 10.2165/00002512-200118110-00007 | s2cid = 22720686 }}
• {{cite journal | vauthors = Curran MP, Wagstaff AJ | title = Spotlight on estradiol and norgestimate as hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women | journal = Treatments in Endocrinology | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 127–129 | date = 2002 | pmid = 15765628 | doi = 10.2165/00024677-200201020-00006 | s2cid = 1936039 }}

{{refend}}

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