What is "promegestone"

n. A norsteroid progestogen.

Promegestone ( INN) (brand name Surgestone), also known as 17α,21-dimethyl-19-nor-Δ,-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, is a 19-norprogesterone derivative and steroidal progestin which was introduced in 1983 and is marketed in France, Portugal, and Argentina. Indications include gynaecological conditions caused by luteal insufficiency, including premenopausal disorders, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome. Promegestone has weak glucocorticoid activity, but does not bind to the androgen receptor or possess antimineralocorticoid activity. In addition, promegestone has also been found to act as a non-competitive antagonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The drug is mainly bound to albumin; it does not bind to sex hormone-binding globulin, and binds only weakly to transcortin.