Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate

Not to be confused with Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone.

Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate

Combination of
Ethinylestradiol	Estrogen
Norethisterone acetate	Progestogen
Clinical data
Trade names	Estrostep, Loestrin, Microgestin, others[1]
Other names	EE/NETA
AHFS/Drugs.com	Professional Drug Facts
License data	US DailyMed: Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol
Routes of administration	By mouth
ATC code	G03AA05 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only
Identifiers
PubChem CID	63020
KEGG	D04483
Chemical and physical data
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES CC(=O)OC1(CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34)C)C#C.CC12CCC3C(C1CCC2(C#C)O)CCC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O
InChI InChI=1S/C22H28O3.C20H24O2/c1-4-22(25-14(2)23)12-10-20-19-7-5-15-13-16(24)6-8-17(15)18(19)9-11-21(20,22)3;1-3-20(22)11-9-18-17-6-4-13-12-14(21)5-7-15(13)16(17)8-10-19(18,20)2/h1,13,17-20H,5-12H2,2-3H3;1,5,7,12,16-18,21-22H,4,6,8-11H2,2H3/t17-,18+,19+,20-,21-,22-;16-,17-,18+,19+,20+/m01/s1 Key:GEONECATAKDDLT-JDSZYESASA-N

Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate (EE/NETA), or ethinylestradiol/norethindrone acetate, is a combination of ethinylestradiol (EE) and norethisterone acetate (NETA) which is used as birth control and menopausal hormone therapy.[1][2] EE is an estrogen, while norethisterone acetate (NETA) is a progestin.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Some preparations of EE/NETA used in birth control additionally contain an iron supplement in the form of ferrous fumarate.[3]

Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol have been approved in the US for the prevention of pregnancy as a swallowable tablet since 1968.[4] In 2022, the combination of ethinylestradiol with norethisterone or with norethisterone acetate was the 80th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.[5][6] It is available as a generic medication.[7]

Medical uses

Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy.[8]

Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate is also indicated in women with an intact uterus for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause; and for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.[2][9][10]

Society and culture

Legal status

In July 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Femlyv, the first orally disintegrating tablet for the prevention of pregnancy.[4] Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol have been approved in the US for the prevention of pregnancy as a swallowable tablet since 1968.[4]

Brand names

Brand names include Anovlar, Blisovi, Cumorit, Estrostep, Femhrt, Femlyv, Fyavolv, Gildess, Junel,[11] Larin, Leribane, Loestrin, Lo Loestrin (Lo Lo), Mibelas, Microgestin, Minastrin, Norlestrin, Primodos, Taytulla, and Tri-Legest, among others.[7][12]

See also

• Oral contraceptive formulations
• List of combined sex-hormonal preparations

References

1. "Estrogen-Progestin Combinations Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. AHFS. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
2. Rowan JP, Simon JA, Speroff L, Ellman H (June 2006). "Effects of low-dose norethindrone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol (0.5 mg/2.5 microg) in women with postmenopausal symptoms: updated analysis of three randomized, controlled trials". Clin Ther. 28 (6): 921–32. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2006.06.013. PMID 16860174.
3. Willihnganz M, Clayton AD (1 May 2014). Basic Pharmacology for Nurses - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 648–. ISBN 978-0-323-29309-9.
4. "FDA Roundup: July 23, 2024". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release). 23 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
5. "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
6. "Ethinyl Estradiol; Norethindrone Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
7. "Competitive Generic Therapy Approvals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
8. "Femlyv Full Prescribing Information" (PDF). Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
9. "Femhrt- norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablet". DailyMed. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
10. "Drug Approval Package: Femhrt (Norethindrone Acetate & Ethinyl Estradiol) NDA #21065". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 28 December 2018.
11. "Junel 21 Day- norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet; Junel Fe 28 Day- norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate kit". DailyMed. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
12. "Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone (Professional Patient Advice)". Drugs.com. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.