Ormeloxifene

Ormeloxifene (also known as Centchroman) is one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs, a class of medication which acts on the estrogen receptor. It is best known as a non-hormonal, non-steroidal oral contraceptive which is taken once per week. In India, ormeloxifene has been available as birth control since the early 1990s, and it is currently marketed there under the trade name Saheli. Ormeloxifene has also been licensed under the trade names Centron and Sevista.

Method of action
Ormeloxifene is a SERM, or selective estrogen receptor modulator. In some parts of the body, its action is estrogenic (e.g, bones), in other parts of the body, its action is anti-estrogenic (e.g., uterus, breasts). It causes an asynchrony in the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the development of the uterine lining, although its exact mode of action is not well defined. In clinical trials, it caused ovulation to occur later than it normally would in some women (Singh 2001), but did not affect ovulation in the majority of women, while causing the lining of the uterus to build more slowly. It speeds the transport of any fertilized egg through the fallopian tubes more quickly than is normal (Singh 2001). Presumably, this combination of effects creates an environment such that if fertilization occurs, implantation will not be possible.

Usage
Ormeloxifene may be used as a contraceptive or as a treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

As birth control
Ormeloxifene may be used as a weekly oral contraceptive. This is touted as a major advantage by its developer and its manufacturer. Hormonal birth control pills should be taken at approximately the same time each day. In the case of progestogen only pills other than Cerazette that do not consistently inhibit ovulation, a delay of as little as three hours can increase the risk of pregnancy because of the limited duration of their effect on the cervical mucus. Ormeloxifene's weekly schedule is an advantage for women who prefer an oral contraceptive, but find it difficult or impractical to adhere to a daily schedule.

For the first twelve weeks of use, it is advised to take the ormeloxifene pill twice per week. From the thirteenth week on, it is taken once per week. The consensus is that backup protection in the first month is a cautious but sensible choice.

Effectiveness
One Phase III multicenter trial of ormeloxifene 30 mg weekly by 898 women for an average of 15 months found a method failure Pearl Index of 2.84.

A second Phase III multicenter trial of ormeloxifene 30 mg twice-a-week for 3 months followed by 30 mg weekly by 376 women for an average of 10.5 months found a method failure Pearl Index of 1.83 and a 12-month life-table method failure pregnancy rate of 1.63% ±0.74%.

The overall actual use (method failure plus user failure) Pearl Index was 9 in both Phase III multicenter trials of ormeloxifene — an order of magnitude less effective than found in Phase III multicenter trials of combined oral contraceptive pills.

Manufacture and marketing
Ormeloxifene has been tested and licensed as a form of birth control, as well as a treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. It was first manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and marketed as birth control under the trade name Centron. Centron was discontinued. A new license for ormeloxifene was issued to Hindustan Latex Ltd., which now manufactures ormeloxifene as birth control under the trade name Saheli. Torrent Pharmaceuticals has resumed manufacture of ormeloxifene under the trade name Sevista, as a treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.