section name header

Pronunciation

me-DROX-ee-proe-JESS-te-rone

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: antineoplastics, contraceptive hormones

Pharmacologic Classification: hormones, progestins

Indications

IM:

REMS


Action

  • A synthetic form of progesterone; actions include secretory changes in the endometrium, increases in basal body temperature, histologic changes in vaginal epithelium, relaxation of uterine smooth muscle, mammary alveolar tissue growth, pituitary inhibition, and withdrawal bleeding in the presence of estrogen.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Decreased endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women receiving concurrent estrogen (combination with estrogen decreases vasomotor symptoms and prevents osteoporosis).
  • Restoration of hormonal balance with control of uterine bleeding.
  • Management of endometrial or renal cancer.
  • Prevention of pregnancy.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: 0.6–10% absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized by the liver. Primarily excreted in the urine as metabolites.

Half-Life: 1st phase: 52 min; 2nd phase: 230 min; biological: 14.5 hr.

Time/Action Profile

(IM = antineoplastic effects)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknownunknownunknown
IMwk–mosmounknown
SCunknown1 wk3 mo



Contraceptive effect lasts 3 mo.

Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

CV: DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS, edema, thrombophlebitis

Derm: chloasma, melasma, rash

EENT: retinal thrombosis

Endo: breast tenderness, galactorrhea, hyperglycemia

GI: drug-induced hepatitis, gingival bleeding

GU: amenorrhea, breakthrough bleeding, cervical erosions, changes in menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea

Local: injection site reactions

Metab: weight gain, weight loss

MS: bone loss

Neuro: depression

Resp: PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS OR ANGIOEDEMA), MALIGNANCY (BREAST, ENDOMETRIAL, OVARIAN)

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Drug-Natural Products:

Route/Dosage

Postmenopausal Women Receiving Concurrent Estrogen

Secondary Amenorrhea

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding/Induction of Menses

Renal or Endometrial Carcinoma

Endometriosis-Associated Pain

Prevention of Pregnancy

Availability

(Generic available)

Assessment

Lab Test Considerations:

Implementation

Patient/Family Teaching

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

US Brand Names

Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104, Provera

Code

NDC Code