20α-Dihydrodydrogesterone (20α-DHD), also known as 20α-hydroxydydrogesterone, as well as 20(''S'')-hydroxy-9β,10α-pregna-4,6-dien-3-one, is a

progestin A progestogen, also referred to as a progestagen, gestagen, or gestogen, is a type of medication which produces effects similar to those of the natural female sex hormone progesterone in the body. A progestin is a '' synthetic'' progestogen. ...

and the major

active metabolite An active metabolite, or pharmacologically active metabolite is a biologically active metabolite of a xenobiotic substance, such as a drug or environmental chemical. Active metabolites may produce therapeutic effects, as well as harmful effects. ...

dydrogesterone Dydrogesterone, sold under the brand name Duphaston among others, is a progestin drug, medication which is used for a variety of indications, including miscarriage, threatened or recurrent miscarriage during pregnancy, dysfunctional bleeding, i ...

. It appears that dydrogesterone is a

prodrug A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...

of 20α-DHD, as it is largely transformed into this

metabolite In biochemistry, a metabolite is an intermediate or end product of metabolism. The term is usually used for small molecules. Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, c ...

when given orally in humans. 20α-DHD has

progestogen Progestogens, also sometimes written progestins, progestagens or gestagens, are a class of natural or synthetic steroid hormones that bind to and activate the progesterone receptors (PR). Progesterone is the major and most important progestoge ...

ic activity similarly to dydrogesterone, but is far less potent in comparison.

References

Secondary alcohols Conjugated dienes Human drug metabolites Enones Pregnanes Progestogens {{Genito-urinary-drug-stub

See also

References