Norethisterone acetate
Norethisterone Acetate
Norethisterone acetate (pronunciation: nor-eth-in-drohn as-uh-tate), also known as norethindrone acetate, is a synthetic progestogen and estrogen that is used in hormone replacement therapy, contraceptive pills, and menstrual disorder treatments.
Etymology
The term "Norethisterone" is derived from the words "nor-", a prefix used in organic chemistry to denote a structure lacking a carbon atom, and "ethisterone", a progestin that was previously used in contraceptives. The "acetate" part of the name refers to the presence of an acetate group in the chemical structure of the compound.
Pharmacology
Norethisterone acetate is a progestogen, meaning it binds to and activates the progesterone receptor. This activation has a suppressive effect on gonadotropin levels and helps to prevent ovulation. It also has weak androgenic and estrogenic activity.
Medical Uses
Norethisterone acetate is used in a variety of medical contexts. It is a common ingredient in oral contraceptive pills and is also used in hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause. Additionally, it can be used to treat menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea and endometriosis.
Side Effects
Potential side effects of norethisterone acetate include nausea, headache, breast tenderness, and changes in menstrual bleeding patterns. More serious side effects can include blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Related Terms
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Oral contraceptive
- Menopause
- Dysmenorrhea
- Endometriosis
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Norethisterone acetate
- Wikipedia's article - Norethisterone acetate
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