Medroxyprogesterone
Classification: BATC code: G03AC06, G03DA02, G03FA12, G03FB06, L02AB02
Summary
Medroxyprogesterone is mainly used by women and thus analyses on sex or gender differences have not been considered relevant. Approved indication for men are lacking except in some cases of male-to-female transsexuals
Additional information
The registered indications for medroxyprogesterone are anticonception, treatment of secondary amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance, endometriosis-associated pain, and as postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, all only in women [1-2]. Medroxyprogesterone can also be used for treatment of inoperable, recurrent, and metastatic endometrial cancer [1-2] or renal cell cancer [2]. The latter diagnosis may also be valid in men, as is the off license use for treatment of hypoventilation due to obesity (Picwickian-syndrome) [2].
Medroxyprogesterone is also used off license in paraphilia (atypical or extreme compulsive sexual behaviors) in men [2-3]. In combination with transdermal testosterone, medroxyprogesterone has been used in clinical trials as an anticonception for men [4]. It has also been tried as treatment of hot flashes in men treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for prostate cancer [5]. In male-to-female transsexuals, medroxyprogesterone can be used to inhibit androgenes, although it’s less effective than cyproterone acetate [6].
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding pharmacokinetics and dosing of medroxyprogesterone have been found.
Effects
The effect of medroxyprogesterone is to act as an anti-androgene. Thus, the effect differs in men and women. However, comparative studies have not been found.
Adverse effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of medroxyprogesterone have been found besides what reflects is action as a sex hormone.
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Updated: 2020-08-28
Date of litterature search: 2017-03-21
References
- Fass.se för vårdpersonal url
- Physicians' Desk Reference. http://www.pdr.net. [cited 2017-05-23]. länk
- Cross BS, DeYoung GR, Furmaga KM. High-dose oral medroxyprogesterone for inappropriate hypersexuality in elderly men with dementia: a case series. Ann Pharmacother. 2013;47:e1. PubMed
- Soufir JC, Meduri G, Ziyyat A. Spermatogenetic inhibition in men taking a combination of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate and percutaneous testosterone as a male contraceptive method. Hum Reprod. 2011;26:1708-14. PubMed
- Irani J, Salomon L, Oba R, Bouchard P, Mottet N. Efficacy of venlafaxine, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and cyproterone acetate for the treatment of vasomotor hot flushes in men taking gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for prostate cancer: a double-blind, randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2010;11:147-54. PubMed
- Gooren L. Hormone treatment of the adult transsexual patient. Horm Res. 2005;64 Suppl 2:31-6. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2016 [cited 2017-06-20.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson