Norgestrel/[email protected]

Norgestrel is an old progestin that has been used in hormonal contraceptives. Norgestrel is a mixture of two stereoisomers, dextro-norgestrel (CAS# 797-64-8 ) and levo-norgestrel (CAS# 797-63-7 ).Only levonorgestrel is biologically active.Therefore, while some medications may contain dextronorgestrel, they are often labeled in terms of their levonorgestrel content only, ignoring the inert isomer.

Norgestrel, a second-generation progestin, has a high progestational effect, as well as a high androgenic level. The level of progestational effect applies to how successful the progestin is at preventing ovulation (thereby, pregnancy) and lessening menstrual bleeding. This progestin is highly effective at both. The level of the androgenic effect refers to the chance of unwanted side effects such as acne and hirsutism (female unwanted hair growth), which increase as the androgenic level increases. This means birth control utilizing this progestin could have a higher instance of unpleasant side effects such as acne and unwanted hair growth.