Generic Medroxyprogesterone (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate)

Introduction

Medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic progestogenic medication supplied as a 10 mg oral tablet containing the active compound medroxyprogesterone acetate. It belongs to the class of progesterone derivatives and is primarily prescribed for hormone-related gynecological conditions, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, secondary amenorrhea, and prevention of endometrial hyperplasia during estrogen therapy. The drug is also used in certain cancer-related protocols and for chronic endometriosis management, although some of these indications are off-label. The medication is manufactured by several licensed pharmaceutical companies and is distributed worldwide in a tablet form.

What is Medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic analogue of the natural hormone progesterone. It is formulated as medroxyprogesterone acetate, a chemically modified version that improves oral bioavailability and prolongs plasma half-life. The compound was first synthesized in the s and subsequently approved for medical use in the United States Europe. Various manufacturers produce the tablet, which is marketed under brand names such as Provera, Depo-Provera (injectable form), and Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (sub-cutaneous injection).

Medroxyprogesterone is the generic version of well-known medications, containing the active compound medroxyprogesterone acetate. Our online pharmacy provides this generic alternative as a cost-effective treatment option.

How Medroxyprogesterone Works

Medroxyprogesterone acetate binds to progesterone receptors (PR-A and PR-B) in target tissues, mimicking the physiological actions of endogenous progesterone. Activation of these receptors leads to:

• Endometrial stabilization: The drug suppresses proliferative activity driven by estrogen, converting the endometrium from a proliferative to a secretory state, which reduces the risk of hyperplasia and bleeding.
• Negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: By increasing circulating progesterone-like activity, it attenuates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility, lowering luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. This helps regulate menstrual cycles and can induce amenorrhea.

Following oral administration, medroxyprogesterone acetate is rapidly absorbed, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 2-4 hours. Its plasma elimination half-life is approximately 25 hours, allowing once-daily dosing. The drug is extensively metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes (primarily CYP3A4) and excreted mainly in the urine as inactive metabolites.

Conditions Treated with Medroxyprogesterone

• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB): The progestogenic effect stabilises the endometrium, decreasing irregular or heavy bleeding episodes.
• Secondary Amenorrhea: By providing hormonal feedback, the medication can restart menstrual cycles in women with hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction.
• Endometrial Hyperplasia (with or without atypia): When combined with estrogen replacement therapy, medroxyprogesterone acetate protects against estrogen-induced overgrowth of the endometrial lining.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Postmenopausal Women: It is used in combination regimens to counterbalance estrogen-induced endometrial stimulation.
• Endometriosis-related Pain (selected protocols): Low-dose regimens can suppress ectopic endometrial tissue, reducing inflammatory pain.

These indications are approved by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Off-Label and Investigational Uses of Medroxyprogesterone

• Adjunctive Therapy for Certain Hormone-Sensitive Cancers: Small phase II studies have evaluated medroxyprogesterone acetate in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, based on its anti-estrogenic properties. Formal this indication does not exist.
• Prevention of Preterm Birth in High-Risk Pregnancies: Limited randomized trials have examined progestogen supplementation, including medroxyprogesterone acetate, to reduce preterm delivery rates. Results are mixed, and the practice remains off-label.
• Management of Severe Menstrual-Related Dysphoria in Transgender Men: Some clinicians prescribe medroxyprogesterone acetate to suppress menstrual bleeding when estrogen therapy is not desired. This use has not been evaluated by regulatory bodies.

Important: Off-label applications have not undergone the rigorous efficacy and safety assessment required for approved indications. Patients should only consider these uses under direct supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

Is Medroxyprogesterone the Right Medication for You?

Medroxyprogesterone is appropriate for adult women who:

• Have documented abnormal uterine bleeding not responsive to first-line measures.
• Require endometrial protection while receiving estrogen therapy.
• Experience secondary amenorrhea due to hypothalamic or pituitary causes.
• Suffer from endometriosis-related symptoms where progestogenic suppression is clinically indicated.

Contraindications include:

• Known or suspected pregnancy.
• Active or past thromboembolic disease (e.g., deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
• Uncontrolled hypertension, severe liver disease, or active breast cancer.
• Known hypersensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any tablet excipient.

Patients with a history of mood disorders, lipid abnormalities, or gallbladder disease should discuss potential risks with their clinician before initiating therapy.

Risks, Side Effects, and Interactions

Common

• Headache
• Nausea or mild gastrointestinal upset
• Breast tenderness or enlargement
• Irregular menstrual spotting

Rare

• Weight gain or fluid retention
• Mood changes, including mild depression or irritability
• Decreased libido

Serious

• Venous thromboembolism (VTE) - deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, angioedema)
• Hepatotoxicity - jaundice, elevated liver enzymes
• Hyperglycaemia or worsening diabetes control

Drug-Drug Interactions

• CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, rifampin, St. John’s wort) may reduce medroxyprogesterone plasma concentrations, potentially diminishing effectiveness.
• CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin, grapefruit juice) can increase drug exposure, raising the risk of adverse events.
• Anticoagulants (warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants) may have an additive risk of VTE when combined with progestogens.

Drug-Food Interactions

• Grapefruit and its juice inhibit CYP3A4 and should be avoided or limited while taking medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Use: Dosing, Missed Dose, Overdose

Standard dosing for most gynecological indications is 10 mg taken orally once daily for a prescribed cycle (typically 5-10 days, depending on the condition). In chronic HRT regimens, a 10 mg tablet may be taken daily throughout the month.

Missed dose: If a dose is forgotten within 12 hours, take it as soon as remembered. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled tablet. Do not double-dose.

Overdose: Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or severe headache. If an overdose is suspected, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison-control centre. Routine supportive care is usually sufficient as the drug does not have a specific antidote.

Practical precautions:

• Tablets can be taken with or without food; a light meal may reduce mild gastrointestinal upset.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, which can increase sedation and impair liver metabolism.
• Do not operate heavy machinery or perform tasks requiring full alertness until you know how the medication affects you.

FAQ

• What is the appearance of a 10 mg medroxyprogesterone tablet? The tablet is typically round, white to off-white, and may be scored on one side for easy splitting. Inactive ingredients often include lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

• Can I travel internationally with medroxyprogesterone tablets? Yes, but keep the medication in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription (or a legitimate medical document) to satisfy customs regulations in most countries.

• How should I store the tablets in a hot climate? Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If ambient temperatures exceed 30 °C (86 °F) for extended periods, keep the bottle in a temperature-controlled container or a refrigerator (do not freeze).

• Are there any differences between the oral tablet and the injectable form? Both contain medroxyprogesterone acetate, but the injectable formulation delivers a much larger dose (150 mg) intramuscularly, resulting in a prolonged plasma level that lasts up to three months. The oral tablet provides a short-acting effect suitable for daily dosing.

• What clinical trials established the efficacy of medroxyprogesterone for abnormal uterine bleeding? Several randomized, double-blind studies published in the Journal Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics & Gynecology between 1995 and 2005 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in bleeding days compared with placebo, leading to regulatory approval for this indication.

• Is medroxyprogesterone safe for women over 50? Clinical data show that postmenopausal women can use the drug safely when combined with estrogen for HRT, provided they have no contraindications such as a history of VTE, uncontrolled hypertension, or estrogen-dependent cancer.

• Can the medication affect hormone testing for athletes? Yes. Medroxyprogesterone acetate can be detected in urine or blood doping tests and may be flagged as a prohibited substance under certain sport-governing bodies. Athletes should consult their organization’s anti-doping regulations.

• What are the inert ingredients that could trigger allergies? Common excipients include lactose, which may cause issues for individuals with severe lactose intolerance, and magnesium stearate, which can rarely provoke hypersensitivity reactions.

• Does the drug interact with herbal supplements like black cohosh? Black cohosh has mild estrogenic activity; concurrent use may theoretically offset the progestogenic effect of medroxyprogesterone, but robust clinical evidence is lacking. Consultation with a healthcare professional is advised.

• How long can I store unused tablets after opening the bottle? When kept in the original blister pack and stored at room temperature (15-30 °C), the tablet retains full potency for up to 24 months from the manufacturing date, provided the expiry date has not passed.

Glossary

Progesterone Receptor (PR) - A cellular protein that binds progesterone or its synthetic analogues, initiating a cascade of genetic and biochemical actions that regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Endometrial Hyperplasia - A condition in which the lining of the uterus (endometrium) becomes unusually thick, often due to unopposed estrogen exposure; it can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes - A family of liver enzymes responsible for metabolising many drugs; CYP3A4 is the most abundant isoform and metabolises medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) - Formation of blood clots in the venous system, which can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and become life-threatening.

Buying Medroxyprogesterone from Our Online Pharmacy

Patients who need medroxyprogesterone but encounter limited availability or high out-of-pocket costs can obtain the medication through our online pharmacy. We source the generic tablets directly from licensed, GMP-certified manufacturers, ensuring that each batch meets strict quality standards equivalent to the original brand products.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Because we purchase near manufacturer pricing, the retail price is markedly lower than many brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
• Verified Quality: Every shipment is accompanied by a certificate of analysis confirming potency, purity, and compliance with pharmaco-regulatory specifications.
• Discrete Delivery: Orders are packaged in plain, unmarked boxes and dispatched via secure courier services, with options for standard airmail (≈ 3 weeks) or express shipping (≈ 7 days).
• Global Reach: Our broker network works with overseas licensed pharmacies, granting you access to medications that may not be stocked locally.

By choosing our service, you gain a reliable, affordable, and private route to the medication you require, without compromising safety or efficacy.

Disclaimer

The details presented about medroxyprogesterone are intended for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. All therapeutic decisions, including those concerning off-label applications, should be made under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Readers are presumed to be competent adults capable of making informed health choices. Our online pharmacy provides access to medroxyprogesterone for individuals who may encounter limited availability through conventional pharmacies, insurance-based prescription programmes, or who are seeking cost-effective generic alternatives. Always discuss any medication changes with your physician before starting, adjusting, or discontinuing treatment.