Drug Approvals
(British Approved Name Modified, rINNM)
Synonyms: Medroksiprogesteroniasetaatti; Medroksiprogesterono acetatas; Medroxiprogesterona, acetato de; Medroxiprogesteronacetat; Medroxiprogeszteron-acetát; Medroxyprogesteron-acetát; Medroxyprogesteroni Acetas; Methylacetoxyprogesterone; Metipregnone; NSC-26386Pharmacopoeias. In China, Europe, International, and US.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate). A white or almost white crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble in alcohol soluble in acetone freely soluble in dichloromethane. Protect from light.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate). A white to off-white, odourless, crystalline powder. Insoluble in water sparingly soluble in alcohol and in methyl alcohol soluble in acetone and in dioxan freely soluble in chloroform slightly soluble in ether. Store in airtight containers at a temperature of 25°, excursions permitted between 15° and 30°. Protect from light.
Adverse Effects and Precautions
As for progestogens in general (see Progesterone). See also under Hormonal Contraceptives. Medroxyprogesterone acetate may have glucocorticoid effects when given long term at high doses.
Breast feeding
Medroxyprogesterone is reported to be distributed into breast milk when given as a depot progestogen-only contraceptive. No adverse effects have been seen in breast-fed infants of mothers given medroxyprogesterone, and the American Academy of Pediatrics considers that it is therefore usually compatible with breast feeding. Progestogen-only parenteral contraceptives should not be used until 6 weeks after birth if the woman is breast feeding (see Breast Feeding under Hormonal Contraceptives).
Carcinogenicity
The risk of various cancers associated with the use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate as a contraceptive has been evaluated by WHO. Overall, there was no increase in risk of breast cancer, although there is some evidence that current or recent use may be associated with a slight increase in risk. There was no significant increased risk of cervical cancer, and a protective effect against endometrial cancer. In contrast to combined oral contraceptives, there was no evidence of a protective effect against ovarian cancer.
Effects on bone density
Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate as a parenteral progestogen-only contraceptive has been associated with reductions in bone density (see under Effects on the Musculoskeletal System). This effect has also been reported after oral doses for menstrual disorders, and is thought to be due to medroxyprogesterone-induced oestrogen deficiency.
Effects on the skin
Acute local skin necrosis has been reported after the intramuscular injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate as a depot contraceptive. A case of pigmented purpura on the lower legs, occurring about 4 months after starting medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, has been described.
Glucocorticoid effects
There have been reports of Cushing’s syndrome induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate in patients receiving long-term therapy with high doses for the treatment of malignant neoplasms or paraphilia. Cushingoid symptoms regressed when treatment was stopped. Medroxyprogesterone possesses glucocorticoid activity and there is a risk of adrenal insufficiency during periods of stress or after sudden withdrawal of treatment. Some consider that patients should be monitored for glucose intolerance and adrenal insufficiency during treatment.
Porphyria
Medroxyprogesterone has been associated with acute attacks of porphyria and is considered unsafe in porphyric patients. However, for a reference to the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate with buserelin acetate in the prevention of premenstrual exacerbations of porphyria in 2 women.
Interactions
As for progestogens in general (see Progesterone). Aminoglutethimide markedly reduces plasma concentrations of medroxyprogesterone so that an increase in medroxyprogesterone dosage is likely to be required.
Pharmacokinetics
Medroxyprogesterone is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In the blood, it is highly protein bound, principally to albumin. It is metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly as glucuronide conjugates in the urine and faeces. It has a half-life of about 16 to 30 hours after oral doses the half-life may be as long as 50 days after intramuscular injection. Medroxyprogesterone is reported to be distributed into breast milk.
Uses and Administration
Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a progestogen structurally related to progesterone, with actions and uses similar to those of the progestogens in general (see Progesterone). It is given orally or, for prolonged action, as an aqueous suspension by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, depending on the product. It is used for the treatment of menorrhagia and secondary amenorrhoea in oral doses of 2.5 to 10 mg daily for 5 to 10 days starting on the assumed or calculated 16th to 21st day of the menstrual cycle, although treatment may begin on any day in secondary amenorrhoea.
In the treatment of mild to moderate endometriosis usual oral doses are 10 mg three times daily for 90 consecutive days, or 50 mg weekly or 100 mg every 2 weeks by intramuscular injection for at least 6 months. An alternative formulation used for the treatment of pain associated with endometriosis is given in a dose of 104 mg in 0.65 mL by subcutaneous injection once every 12 to 14 weeks.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate is also given by injection as a contraceptive (see under Hormonal Contraceptives). As a progestogen-only contraceptive an intramuscular dose of 150 mg is given every 12 or 13 weeks. A combined contraceptive injection containing medroxyprogesterone acetate 25 mg with estradiol cipionate 5 mg is given monthly as an intramuscular injection. An alternative formulation used as a progestogen-only contraceptive is given as a dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate 104 mg in 0.65 mL by subcutaneous injection once every 12 to 14 weeks. When used as the progestogen component of menopausal HRT, medroxyprogesterone acetate is given orally in a variety of regimens including 1.5, 2.5, or 5 mg daily continuously, 5 or 10 mg daily for 12 to 14 days of a 28-day cycle, and 20 mg daily for 14 days of a 91-day cycle.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate may also be used in the palliative treatment of some hormone-dependent malignant neoplasms. In breast carcinoma (see below) oral doses of 0.4 to 1.5 g daily may be given, although doses up to 2 g daily have been used in the past. Intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate has been given in initial doses of 500 mg daily for 4 weeks, then in maintenance doses twice weekly. In endometrial (below) and renal carcinoma oral doses have ranged from 200 to 600 mg daily. Initial doses of 0.6 to 1.2 g weekly have been given by intramuscular injection, reducing to a maintenance schedule of as little as 450 mg monthly. In prostatic carcinoma oral doses have been 100 to 600 mg daily 500 mg has also been given by intramuscular injection, initially twice weekly for 3 months then once weekly for maintenance.
Cachexia
Medroxyprogesterone may improve appetite and food intake, and prevent loss of body-weight in cachexia associated with severe chronic disorders, although information is limited.
Contraception
Medroxyprogesterone acetate has an established use as a parenteral progestogen-only contraceptive. It has also been developed as the progestogenic component of a combined injectable contraceptive and has been investigated as a component of hormonal contraceptives for men. References.
Epilepsy
Early findings suggested that medroxyprogesterone acetate might be of value in the management of catamenial epilepsy. In a later review it was suggested that hormonal manipulation with drugs such as medroxyprogesterone should be reserved for highly selected groups under close supervision.
Male hypersexuality
The anti-androgenic action of medroxyprogesterone has been used for suppression of libido in the control of men with deviant or disinhibited sexual behaviour (see Disturbed Behaviour). Most have received intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate doses of about 300 mg weekly have been used, but ranged from 100 mg each month to 500 mg each week in one report of 5 cases, and up to 750 mg each week in another case. Oral treatment with 30 mg daily was also successful in 1 case.
Malignant neoplasms
BREAST
Progestogens are used as second- or third-choice drugs in the hormonal therapy of advanced breast cancer. Some references to the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate in advanced breast cancer are cited below. Comparative studies have shown that patients respond equally well to medroxyprogesterone and either mepitiostane, aminoglutethimide, or oophorectomy.
ENDOMETRIUM
Progestogens are used in the treatment of advanced endometrial carcinoma but there are doubts about their value in the earlier stages of disease. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was effective in a rare case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. It has also been used in a few patients as adjuvant therapy after surgery and for the treatment of metastatic disease.
Respiratory disorders
Reviews of the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate in obstructive sleep apnoea have concluded that it has a limited role.
Progesterone and, more commonly, medroxyprogesterone acetate are used in the treatment of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare disease affecting only women. Anecdotal evidence suggests some patients improve or stabilise on treatment, possibly those with chylous effusions or chylous ascites. However, a more rapid decline in lung function has also been observed with progestogen therapy in some groups. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was reported to be effective in treating congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in 2 children. It has also been used in adults with central hypoventilation resulting from brainstem stroke and other causes. Medroxyprogesterone has also been investigated for its effects on respiration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sometimes with acetazolamide.
Sickle-cell disease
The frequency of painful crises has been reduced in women with homozygous sickle-cell disease given intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and it is now considered to be a suitable contraceptive for this group (see also Sickle-cell Disease, under Precautions of Hormonal Contraceptives.
Preparations
British Pharmacopoeia 2008: Medroxyprogesterone Injection; Medroxyprogesterone Tablets
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008: Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injectable; Suspension Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Tablets
Single-ingredient Preparations
The symbol ¤ denotes a preparation which is discontinued or no longer actively marketed
Argentina: Cycrin¤; Depo-Provera¤; Farlutale; Livomedrox; Map An; Medrosterona; Veraplex;
Australia: Depo-Provera; Depo-Ralovera; Farlutal¤; Medroxyhexal; Provera; Ralovera;
Austria: Depo-Provera¤; Depocon; Farlutal; Prodafem; Provera;
Belgium: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera;
Brazil: Acemedrox; Acetoflux; Contracep; Cycrin; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Medroxitest; Progesan; Provera; Tricilon;
Canada: Alti-MPA¤; Apo-Medroxy; Depo-Provera; Gen-Medroxy; Novo-Medrone; Proclim¤; Provera; ratio-MPA;
Chile: Depo-Prodasone; Farlutal; Farlutes; Prodasone; Provera; Sicrit¤;
Czech Republic: Depo-Provera; Provera;
Denmark: Depo-Provera; Perlutex; Provera;
Finland: Cykrina¤; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Gestapuran; Lutopolar; Mepastat; Provera;
France: Depo-Prodasone; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Gestoral¤; Prodasone¤;
Germany: Clinofem; Clinovir; Depo-Clinovir; Farlutal; G-Farlutal¤; GestaPolar¤; MPA Gyn; MPA-beta; MPA-Noury¤; MPA;
Greece: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Gestoral; Progevera; Provera;
Hong Kong: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera;
Hungary: Depo-Provera; Provera;
India: Depo-Provera; Meprate;
Ireland: Depo-Provera; Provera;
Israel: Aragest; Depo-Provera; Provera;
Italy: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Lutoral¤; Provera;
Malaysia: Depo-Provera; Farlutal¤; Petogen¤; Provera; Veraplex;
Mexico: Ciclotal; Cycrin¤; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Megestrin; Megestron; Progezzard¤; Protarin¤; Provera;
Netherlands: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera;
Norway: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Perlutex; Provera;
New Zealand: Depo-Provera; Farlutal¤; Provera;
Portugal: Depo-Provera; Provera;
Russia: Ciclotal (Циклотал); Depo-Provera (Депо-провера); Veraplex (Вераплекс);
South Africa: Depo-Provera; Farlutal¤; Petogen; Provera;
Singapore: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera;
Spain: Depo-Progevera; Farlutal; Progevera 250; Progevera;
Sweden: Cykrina¤; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Gestapuran; Provera;
Switzerland: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Prodafem; Provera¤;
Thailand: Contracep; Depo-Gestin; Depo-Progesno; Depo-Progesta; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Manodepo; Medeton; Provera;
United Kingdom: Adgyn Medro¤; Climanor; Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera;
United States: Amen¤; Curretab¤; Cycrin¤; Depo-Provera; Depo-subQ Provera; Provera;
Venezuela: Depo-Provera; Farlutal; Provera
Multi-ingredient Preparations
Argentina: Dilena; Farludiol Ciclo; Farludiol; Periofem Ciclico¤; Periofem Continuo¤; Premelle Ciclico; Premelle Continuo;
Australia: Divina¤; Estrapak¤; Menoprem¤; Premia Continuous; Premia Low; Premia; Provelle¤;
Austria: Cyclo-Premarin-MPA¤; Cyclo-Premella¤; Femipak; Filena; Perennia; Premarin MPA¤; Premella¤; Sequennia; Tri-Filena¤;
Belgium: Diviplus¤; Diviva¤; Premelle Cycle; Premelle; Trivina¤;
Brazil: Cyclofemina; Dilena; Menosedan Ciclo; Menosedan Fase; Menosedan MPA; Premarin MPA¤; Premelle Ciclo; Premelle; Prempro Bifasico; Prempro Monofasico; Repogen Ciclo; Repogen Conti; Selecta;
Canada: Premplus;
Chile: Climatrol Continuo; Climatrol HT Continuo; Climatrol HT; Conpremin Pak Plus; Conpremin Pak; Cyclofem; Enadiol CC; Enadiol MP; Estranova 30 Simple; Estranova CC; Farlupost; Farlutal Estrogeno; Kilios; Novafac 30; Novafac CC; Novafac; Novafem; Prempak; Primaquin MP Continuo; Primaquin MP; Profemina CC; Profemina MP;
Czech Republic: Cyclo-Premella; Divina; Diviseq; Indivina; Premella;
Denmark: Divina Plus; Divina; Indivina; Klimalet; Klimaxil¤; Trevina;
Finland: Divina; Divitren; Indivina;
France: Divina; Diviseq; Duova; Precyclan;
Germany: Climopax Cyclo; Climopax; CycloPolar¤; Estrafemol; Gianda; Indivina; Osmil; Procyclo; Sisare 28; Sisare; Vitrena;
Greece: Divina; Estopause; Premelle Cycle; Premelle;
Hong Kong: Dilena; Premelle Cycle; Premelle;
Hungary: Cyclo-Premella; Divina; Divitren; Premella;
Ireland: Diviseq¤; Femplan-MA¤; Indivina; Premique Cycle; Premique; Tridestra¤;
Israel: Meno-MPA¤; Premaril MP; Premaril Plus MP;
Italy: Filena; Premelle Combinato; Premelle S¤; Premelle Sequenziale;
Malaysia: Plentiva Cycle 5; Plentiva; Premelle; Mexico: Cyclofemina; Dilena; Premelle;
Netherlands: Divina¤; Premelle Cycle; Premelle; PremelleLite;
Norway: Diviseq¤; Indivina;
New Zealand: Menoprem; Premia Continuous; Premia; Provette Continuous¤; Provette Sequential¤;
Portugal: Dilena; Medrivas Antibiotico; Medrivas¤; Premelle Cycle; Premelle;
Russia: Divina (Дивина); Diviseq (Дивисек); Divitren (Дивитрен); Indivina (Индивина);
South Africa: Divina; Premelle; Trivina;
Singapore: Premelle Cycle; Premelle;
Spain: Medricol¤; Medrivas Antib; Medrivas; Perifem; Premelle Ciclico; Premelle;
Sweden: Divina Plus; Divina; Indivina; Premelle Sekvens; Premelle; Trivina;
Switzerland: Cyclo-Premella ST; Cyclo-Premella¤; Diviseq; Indivina; OestroTabs Plus Cyclic¤; Premella; Premia; Triaval;
Thailand: Indivina; Premelle Cycle; Premelle;
United Kingdom: Improvera¤; Indivina; Premique Cycle; Premique; Tridestra;
United States: Lunelle¤; Premphase; Prempro;
Venezuela: Climatrol HT Ciclico; Climatrol HT Continuo; Premelle Ciclico; Premelle Continuo; Premelle Plus Continuo
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.