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norethindrone + ethinyl estradiol (low dose) (Femcon Fe / Femcon Fe / Ovcon 35 Fe)

✓ Approved

Warner Chilcott PLC · ESR1 · Small Molecule

What is norethindrone + ethinyl estradiol (low dose)?

norethindrone + ethinyl estradiol (low dose) is a small molecule developed by Warner Chilcott PLC. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesFemcon Fe, Femcon Fe, Ovcon 35 Fe
CompanyWarner Chilcott PLC
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetESR1, PGR
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Warner Chilcott PLC

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

norethindrone + ethinyl estradiol (low dose) acts on 2 molecular targets:

ESR1estrogen receptor 1 (ER, ESR)
PGRprogesterone receptor (NR3C3, PR)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

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Clinical effects of third doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among hemodialysis patients: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Cho AJin A, Jeong Seon A SA, Seo Yu Bin YB, Park Hayne Cho HC et al.

Evidence on the effectiveness of third-dose messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination during the Omicron-dominant period in Asian hemodialysis (HD) patients remains limited. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a third mRNA vaccine dose against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, hospitalization, and mortality in Korean HD patients. Using the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency-National Health Insurance Service database, we conducted a nationwide cohort study of HD patients aged ≥18 years who received two or three doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 before January 16, 2022. Study outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and death. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between third-dose vaccination and clinical outcomes. Among 66,389 HD patients (mean age, 65.7 ± 12.9 years; 60.5% male), 55,125 (83.0%) received three vaccine doses and 11,264 (17.0%) received two doses. Receipt of three doses was associated with a significantly lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.60). Among 17,886 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, third-dose vaccine recipients had a lower risk of hospitalization (aHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.62-0.70) and 30-day mortality (aHR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.30-0.41) compared with those who received two doses. Receipt of mRNA-1273 as the third dose was associated with lower observed risks of infection and hospitalization than receipt of BNT162b2. A third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was associated with lower risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among HD patients during the Omicron-dominant period. These findings support the clinical importance of booster vaccination in this high-risk population.

PMID 42902884
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PubMedPediatric endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism2026-10-22

Metabolic outcomes and insulin therapy modifications during Ramadan fasting in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in low-resource settings.

Puspitasari Ajeng Dias AD, Perwitasari Rayi Kurnia RK, Hisbiyah Yuni Y, Abu-Libdeh Abdulsalam I AI et al.

Young Muslims with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face serious metabolic challenges during Ramadan fasting, particularly hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, dehydration, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) risks. Data from low-resource settings (LRS) with limited advanced monitoring tools are insufficient despite established guidelines. This study planned to evaluate metabolic outcomes and insulin modifications among children and adolescents with T1DM during Ramadan fasting in Surabaya, Indonesia. Our cross-sectional study recruited 25 individuals with T1DM aged 7 to 18 years who fasted for at least two weeks during Ramadan 2025. Data were collected via questionnaires and glucose logbooks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured before, during, and after Ramadan. We also evaluated insulin total daily dose (TDD) and acute complication incidences. The respondents were predominantly female (80%) with a mean HbA1c of 10.22 ±2.29%. During Ramadan, the mean TDD decreased from 0.84 ±0.18 to 0.80 ±0.19 U/kg/day, reflecting a 6.79% reduction in basal insulin. Mean FBG levels remained stable across the pre-, during-, and post-Ramadan periods (202.89, 193.44, and 206.90 mg/dl, respectively; p > 0.05). Clinical safety improved during fasting, with hypoglycemia rates decreasing from 28% to 12% and zero cases of DKA compared to a 16% pre-Ramadan history. Ramadan fasting is safe and feasible for young Muslims with T1DM in LRS when supported by structured pre-fasting education and individualized insulin modifications. These results emphasize that metabolic stability can be achieved through rigorous monitoring and clinical supervision even in the absence of advanced diabetes technologies.

PMID 42902702
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PubMedMuscle & nerve2026-10-22

Serum Mycophenolic Acid Levels and Infection Risk in Myasthenia Gravis.

Sohn Gyeong Mo GM, Shin Kyong Jin KJ

Evidence linking serum mycophenolic acid (MPA) concentrations with safety outcomes in myasthenia gravis (MG) is limited. We evaluated whether single serum MPA concentrations were associated with clinically documented infection. This retrospective study included acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for at least 1 year who had MPA and mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG) measurement with same-day complete blood count testing. Exact sampling time relative to MMF dosing was not uniformly documented; therefore, values were analyzed as single serum concentrations rather than confirmed trough levels. Among 112 MMF-treated patients, 60 had MPA/MPAG measurement, and 10 had recent infection. Serum MPA concentration correlated strongly and positively with MPAG concentration (r = 0.717) and moderately and inversely with lymphocyte count (r = -0.406). Infection occurred in 0/18 low, 2/24 intermediate, and 8/18 high MPA concentration groups. Patients with infection had higher MPA concentration (median 6.15 vs. 1.80 μg/mL; Bonferroni-adjusted p = 0.032) and higher MPA concentration per prescribed MMF dose. Higher single serum MPA concentrations were associated with recent infection. Prospective controlled studies including patients not treated with MMF are needed.

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PubMedThe American journal of hospice & palliative care2026-10-22

Informal Caregivers' Administration of Opiate, Benzodiazepine, and Antipsychotic Medications to Home Hospice Patients Experiencing Hyperactive Delirium in the Last Week of Life.

Kimball Hannah B HB, Weisse Carol S CS, Doing Georgia G, Melekis Kelly K

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PubMedChemistry & biodiversity2026-10-22

Pentahydroxyflavone and Metformin Mitigate Diabetes-Induced Hepatic Dysfunction in Gamma-Irradiated Rats Through the AMPK-SREBP-1c-SCD1 Pathway.

Gaber Hanaa F B HFB, Moawed Fatma S M FSM, Mahfouz Mohamed K MK, Ahmed Esraa S A ESA et al.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common complication among cancer patients, potentially worsening the adverse effects of radiation therapy. This study aimed to evaluate whether pentahydroxy flavone (PHF) and Metformin (MET) could mitigate liver damage associated with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats exposed to gamma irradiation (IR). Diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of STZ (35 mg/kg) and exposure to a cumulative IR dose (4 Gy). Over one month, each treatment group received either PHF (50 mg/kg) or MET (200 mg/kg). Combined treatment with PHF and MET improved lipid profiles, reduced insulin resistance, coupled with diminishing hepatic inflammation (NLRC4) and oxidative stress. Furthermore, co-administration of PHF and MET modulated the AMPK/ SREBP1c/ SCD1-related signaling, ameliorating hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. These findings suggest that PHF combined with MET's could serve as an adjuvant therapy alongside MET to protect against liver damage caused by diabetes and gamma radiation.

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PubMedZhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics2026-10-22

[Assessment of myocardial injury following anthracycline chemotherapy in children with leukemia by echocardiography].

Xia Ya-Lin YL, Jiang Wen W, Sun Jie-Fan JF, Zhou Xu-Fang XF et al.

To evaluate the clinical value of echocardiography in assessing myocardial injury following anthracycline chemotherapy in children with leukemia. A total of 267 children with leukemia who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy at Suzhou Wujiang District Children's Hospital from June 2020 to May 2025 were enrolled. Based on cardiac troponin I levels, the children were divided into a myocardial injury group (n=81) and a non-myocardial injury group (n=186). Clinical data, myocardial injury markers, and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups. A random forest algorithm was used to screen for influencing factors, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive performance of individual and combined factors, and the DeLong test was employed to compare combined diagnostic performance across sex- and age-stratified subgroups. Random forest analysis indicated the lowest out-of-bag error rate when the model included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cumulative anthracycline dose, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, E-wave velocity, A-wave velocity, and E-wave velocity/A-wave velocity (E/A) ratio. Multivariable logistic regression showed that cumulative anthracycline dose (OR=8.998, 95%CI: 4.759-15.013), and pre-chemotherapy LVEF (OR=7.714, 95%CI: 3.985-14.932), E/A ratio (OR=12.207, 95%CI: 6.269-23.769), E-wave velocity (OR=5.842, 95%CI: 2.959-11.532), and A-wave velocity (OR=7.114, 95%CI: 3.913-12.933) were independent predictors of myocardial injury following chemotherapy (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the combined diagnostic model achieved superior predictive performance compared with any single indicator, with an area under the curve of 0.936, sensitivity of 0.820, and specificity of 0.917; predictive efficacy was maintained in both sex- and age-stratified subgroups. A combined model integrating echocardiographic parameters (LVEF, E-wave velocity, A-wave velocity, and E/A ratio) with cumulative anthracycline dose demonstrates high predictive efficacy for post-chemotherapy myocardial injury in children with leukemia and is applicable across sexes and age groups.

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