The FDA indicates that medroxyprogesterone acetate is a form of contraception. This medication is most often injected subcutaneously. It is a derivative of the female hormone progesterone. This drug regulates ovulation and the timing of the menstrual cycle. It can alternatively be used as a hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing menopause. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is considered convenient and effective due to infrequent dosing periods. Patients are only required to administer a dosage every three months, which leads to greater patient compliance.
Active Ingredient
According to Pharmacia and Upjohn Company, medroxyprogesterone acetate is the only active ingredient of medroxyprogesterone. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a crystalline powder active only via parenteral (injection) and oral routes. Each dose of the intramuscular injection contains 150mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate.
Inactive Ingredients
The inactive ingredients of this medication make up the suspension that medroxyprogesterone acetate is incorporated into. According to Pharmacia and Company, these ingredients are Polyethylene glycol 3350, Polysorbate 80, Sodium chloride, Methylparaben and Propylparaben. Water is added as needed to bring the dosage to 150mg medroxyprogesterone/mL. These are inactive ingredients that pass through the body with no effects to the patient. Inactive ingredients merely form the suspension so that medroxyprogesterone can be injected. This would be impossible in its pure powder form.
Solubility
Pharmacia and Upjohn Company states that sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid is sometimes added to the mixture when necessary to adjust the pH. This is necessary in order to create the correct environment for medroxyprogesterone to dissolve in the solvent. The addition of these ingredients in the correct amount does not affect the effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone acetate.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension)
- "DEPO-PROVERA® Contraceptive Injection medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension, USP": Pharmacia & Upjohn Company: 2006
