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Qui-lea: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Qui-lea - General Information

The 3-cyclopentyl ether of ethinyl estradiol.

 

Pharmacology of Qui-lea

Qui-lea is the 3-cyclopentyl ether of ethinyl estradiol (the active metabolite). After gastrointestinal absorption, it is stored in adipose tissue where it is slowly released and metabolized principally to the parent compound, ethinyl estradiol. Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic derivative of the natural estrogen estradiol.

 

Additional information about Qui-lea

Qui-lea Indication: Used in hormone replacement therapy, treating symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. Also used to treat breast and prostate cancer. Mechanism Of Action: Estrogens diffuse into their target cells and interact with a protein receptor. Target cells include the female reproductive tract, the mammary gland, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary. Estrogens increase the hepatic synthesis of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), and other serum proteins and suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary. The combination of an estrogen with a progestin suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary system, decreasing the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Quinestrol Synonyms: Quinestrolo [dcit]; Quinestrolum [inn-latin]; Estradiol-17-beta 3-cyclopentyl ether; 17-alpha-Ethinylestradiol 3-cyclopentyl ether; 17alpha-Ethynylestradiol 3-cyclopentyl ether Drug Category: Hormone Replacement Agents; Estrogens Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved Other Brand Names containing Quinestrol: Estrovis; Plestrovis; Qui-lea; Estrovister; Estrovis 4000; Eston; Absorption: Absorbed following oral administration. Toxicity (Overdose): Symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. Protein Binding: Not Available Biotransformation: Metabolized principally to the parent compound, ethinyl estradiol. Ethinyl estradiol is metabolized in the liver. Quantitatively, the major metabolic pathway for ethinyl estradiol, both in rats and in humans, is aromatic hydroxylation, as it is for the natural estrogens. Half Life: Not Available Dosage Forms of Qui-lea: Tablet Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: (8R,9S,13S,14S,17R)-3-cyclopentyloxy-17-ethynyl-13-methyl-7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-octahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-ol Chemical Formula: C25H32O2 Quinestrol on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinestrol Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals