Mestranol
Mestranol, sold under the brand names Enovid, Norinyl, and Ortho-Novum among others, is an estrogen medication which has been used in birth control pills, menopausal hormone therapy, and the treatment of menstrual disorders. It is formulated in combination with a progestin and is not available alone. It is taken by mouth.
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Trade names | Enovid, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, others |
Other names | Ethinylestradiol 3-methyl ether; EEME; EE3ME; CB-8027; L-33355; RS-1044; 17α-Ethynylestradiol 3-methyl ether; 17α-Ethynyl-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ol; 3-Methoxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yn-17β-ol |
AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
MedlinePlus | a601050 |
Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Estrogen; Estrogen ether |
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Metabolites | Ethinylestradiol |
Elimination half-life | Mestranol: 50 min EE: 7–36 hours |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.707 |
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Formula | C21H26O2 |
Molar mass | 310.437 g·mol−1 |
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Side effects of mestranol include nausea, breast tension, edema, and breakthrough bleeding among others. It is an estrogen, or an agonist of the estrogen receptors, the biological target of estrogens like estradiol. Mestranol is a prodrug of ethinylestradiol in the body.
Mestranol was discovered in 1956 and was introduced for medical use in 1957. It was the estrogen component in the first birth control pill. In 1969, mestranol was replaced by ethinylestradiol in most birth control pills, although mestranol continues to be used in a few birth control pills even today. Mestranol remains available only in a few countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Chile.