Desogestrel
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| AHFS/Drugs.com | Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information |
| MedlinePlus | a601050 |
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Oral |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Protein binding | 98.3% |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.053.555 |
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| Formula | C22H30O |
| Molar mass | 310.473 g/mol |
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Desogestrel (INN, USAN, BAN) is a progestin used in hormonal contraceptives. Most combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs, or simply OCs) on the market today contain both an estrogen (ethinylestradiol is common) plus a progestin (a synthetic progesterone-like agent) such as desogestrel. Desogestrel-containing birth control pills are sometimes referred to as "third generation" oral contraceptives. In contrast, birth control pills that are considered "second generation" (Tri-Levlen, for example) contain an estrogen and a progestin, but the progestin is different, such as levonorgestrel.
Desogestrel behaves as a prodrug to etonogestrel (3-ketodesogestrel). It has low androgenic activity.
Third-generation oral contraceptives are suitable for use in patients with diabetes or lipid disorders because they have minimal impact on blood glucose levels and the lipid profile. Their synthetic estrogen dosage is lower than second-generation oral contraceptives, reducing the likelihood of weight gain, breast tenderness and migraine.
In February 2007, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen released a petition requesting that the FDA ban oral contraceptives containing desogestrel, citing studies going as far back as 1995 that suggest the risk of dangerous blood clots is doubled for women on such pills in comparison to other oral contraceptives. In 2009, Public Citizen released a list of recommendations that included numerous alternative, second-generation birth control pills that women could take in place of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel. Most of those second-generation medications have been on the market longer and have been shown to be as effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy, but with a lower risk of blood clots.
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