Noretynodrel, or norethynodrel, sold under the brand name Enovid among others, is a progestin medication which was previously used in birth control pills and in the treatment of gynecological disorders but is now no longer marketed.It was available both alone and in combination with an estrogen. The medication is taken by mouth.
Noretynodrel is a progestin, or a synthetic progestogen, and hence is an agonist of the progesterone receptor, the biological target of progestogens like progesterone.It is a relatively weak progestogen.The medication has weak estrogenic activity, no or only very weak androgenic activity, and no other important hormonal activity. It is a prodrug of various active metabolites in the body, such as norethisterone among others.
Noretynodrel was introduced for medical use in 1957.It was specifically approved at this time in combination with mestranol for the treatment of gynecological and menstrual disorders.Subsequently, in 1960, this formulation was approved for use as a birth control pill.It was the first birth control pill to be introduced, and was followed by birth control pills containing norethisterone and other progestins shortly thereafter.Due to its nature as a relatively weak progestogen, noretynodrel is no longer used in medicine.As such, it is no longer marketed
Noretynodrel was formerly used in combination with the estrogen mestranol in the treatment of gynecological and menstrual disorders and as a combined birth control pill.It has also been used in the treatment of endometriosis at high dosages of 40 to 100 mg/day.The medication has been discontinued, and is no longer marketed or used medically.