Gestodene

May be taken with or without food.

Porphyria. Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, history or current high risk of arterial disease and severe hepatic impairment.

CV or renal impairment, asthma, epilepsy, and migraine, or other conditions which may be aggravated by fluid retention. History of depression. High doses should be used with caution in patients susceptible to thromboembolism. Monitor seum lipids regularly. May affect blood glucose control in diabetics.

GI disturbances, changes in appetite or wt, fluid retention, oedema, acne, chloasma (melasma), allergic skin rashes, urticaria, mental depression, breast changes including discomfort or occasionally gynaecomastia, changes in libido, hair loss, hirsutism, fatigue, drowsiness or insomnia, fever, headache, premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms and altered menstrual cycles.
Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis.

Increased clearance when used with felbamate. Enzyme-inducers e.g. carbamazepine, griseofulvin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and rifampicin may enhance the clearance of gestodene. May inihibit ciclosporin metabolism.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Gestodene is a progestogen that is structurally related to levonorgestrel.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Well absorbed with a high bioavailability after oral admin.
Distribution: Extensively bound to plasma proteins (75-87% to sex hormone binding globulin, and 13-24% to albumin).
Metabolism: Hepatically metabolised.
Excretion: <1% excreted unchanged in the urine.

Store below 25°C.

Oestrogens, Progesterones & Related Synthetic Drugs