Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This paper outlines methods of therapy utilizing newer combinations of estrogens and progestins. The specific agent and length of treatment depends on the extent of disease, severity of symptoms, presence of infertility and response to pseudopregnancy. Structural formulas for 19 synthetic preparations are shown. Of 36 patients with proven endometriosis in which pseudopregnancy was induced by the use of these newer agents, satisfactory objective in 82%. Pregnancy occurred later in 6 of 10 patients who had previously been infertile and wished to become pregnant. The optimum maintenance dose is 4-6 mg of chlormadinone acetate or ethnodiol diacetate with .2 mg of mestranol and 5-10 mg of megestrol acetate with .2 mg of ethniyl estradiol. Dosage is increased only when break through bleeding occurs. Gain in weight occurred in almost 1/2 of the patients. The decidual reaction was just as great as that produced formerly by large doses of Enovid. In a more recent study 60 patients were treated with Norlestrin, 20 with Lyndiol and 20 with Ovral. Satisfactory objective and subjective remissions were obtained in 89%. Pregnancy has occurred subsequently in 17 to 43 patients who desired pregnancy. All infants have been normal. The optimum maintenance doses seem to be 10-15 mg if Norlestrin, 2.5-5 mg Lyndiol or .5-1 mg of Ovral. The most common side effect was weight gain in 35%. These agents may be used prior to conservative surgery in order to soften areas of fibrotic endometriosis or to pinpoint areas otherwise overlooked. The length of preoperative treatment depends on the extent of disease, 6 weeks being usual. The indication for prolonged pseudopregnancy is recurrent endometriosis following surgery, also proven vaginal endometriosis. Subsequent to conservative surgery, 12 to 24 weeks of therapy are given in order to inhibit ovulation and prevent reactivation of any remaining areas of endometriosis. Tables show commercial combinations and dosage regimens. Nausea, break through bleeding, breast soreness, acne, water retention, isoninia, irritability, lethargy, headaches or development of leiomyomas are side effects to be dealt with by modifying the treatment. Thromboembolic disease has not been a complication in over 500 patients but should be looked for as it has been reported by others. The effect of long-term use of these drugs has been shown to be entirely reversible without subsequent deleterious effects. Severe hepatic disease or previous mammary carcinoma are contraindications. Excessive side effects may necessitate other treatment but the newer drugs reduce this chance. The diagnosis of endometriosis should first be proven.
 ...
PMID:Newer synthetic progestins for the treatment of endometriosis. 1233 29