A process for the production of medrogestone, in which, in an intermediate step, the solvate 3 beta ,5 alpha ,6 beta -trihydroxy-6 alpha ,17 alpha -dimethylpregnan-20-one monomethanolate is obtained as a solid, stable compound by displacing the organic solvent from a solution of of 3 beta ,5 alpha ,6 beta -trihydroxy-6 alpha ,17 alpha -dimethylpregnan-20-one with a lower alkanol, and a Diels-Alder adduct of 6-methylene-17 alpha -methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione with maleic anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of the corresponding dicarboxylic acid salt for removal of 6-methylene-17 alpha -methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione contamination of the desired product. Another intermediate, 6 beta -hydroxy-6 alpha ,17 alpha -dimethylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, has been found to prevent smooth muscle proliferation and is useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restinosis.
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