Dienogest (DN)

Dienogest is an orally-active semisynthetic, steroidal progestogen (or progestin). It is available for use as an oral contraceptive in combination with ethinylestradiol. It has antiandrogenic activity and as a result can improve androgenic symptoms. It is a non-ethinylated progestin which is structurally related to testosterone. Dienogest is used primarily as a contraceptive in combination with ethinylestradiol. It is given as a tablet containing 2 mg of dienogest and 30 μg of ethinylestradiol. Dienogest is also available in a quadriphasic oral contraceptive pill combined with estradiol valerate, marketed as Natazia in the United States and Qlaira in some European countries. This formulation is also approved for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. Dienogest has moderate affinity for the progesterone receptor in human uterus tissue, in vitro, about 10% that of progesterone.