Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Injectable form of birth control / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in injectable form and sold under the brand name Depo-Provera among others, is a hormonal medication of the progestin type.[10][4] It is used as a method of birth control and as a part of menopausal hormone therapy.[10][4] It is also used to treat endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, paraphilia, and certain types of cancer.[10] The medication is available both alone and in combination with an estrogen.[11][12] It is taken by mouth, used under the tongue, or by injection into a muscle or fat.[10]
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Pronunciation | /mɛˌdrɒksiproʊˈdʒɛstəroʊn ˈæsɪteɪt/ me-DROKS-ee-proh-JES-tər-ohn ASS-i-tayt[1] |
Trade names | Depo-Provera, others |
Other names | MPA; DMPA; Methylhydroxy |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a604039 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, sublingual, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection |
Drug class | Progestogen; Progestin; Progestogen ester; Antigonadotropin; Steroidal antiandrogen |
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Bioavailability | By mouth: ~100%[4][5] |
Protein binding | 88% (to albumin)[5] |
Metabolism | Liver (hydroxylation (CYP3A4), reduction, conjugation)[6][4][7] |
Elimination half-life | By mouth: 12–33 hours[6][4] IM (aq. susp.Tooltip aqueous suspension): ~50 days[8] SC (aq. susp.): ~40 days[9] |
Excretion | Urine (as conjugates)[6] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.689 |
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Formula | C24H34O4 |
Molar mass | 386.532 g·mol−1 |
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Melting point | 207 to 209 °C (405 to 408 °F) |
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Common side effects include menstrual disturbances such as absence of periods, abdominal pain, and headaches.[10] More serious side effects include bone loss, blood clots, allergic reactions, and liver problems.[10] Use is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm the baby.[10] MPA is an artificial progestogen, and as such activates the progesterone receptor, the biological target of progesterone.[4] It also has androgenic activity and weak glucocorticoid activity. Due to its progestogenic activity, MPA decreases the body's release of gonadotropins and can suppress sex hormone levels.[13] It works as a form of birth control by preventing ovulation.[10]
MPA was discovered in 1956 and was introduced for medical use in the United States in 1959.[14][15][10] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[16] MPA is the most widely used progestin in menopausal hormone therapy and in progestogen-only birth control.[17][18] DMPA is approved for use as a form of long-acting birth control in more than 100 countries.[19][20] In 2021, it was the 238th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[21][22]