Progestins For Noncontraceptive Use (Systemic)
Category- Antianorectic—Megestrol
- Anticachetic—Megestrol
- Antineoplastic—Medroxyprogesterone; Megestrol
- Diagnostic aid, estrogen production—Hydroxyprogesterone; Medroxyprogesterone; Progesterone (parenteral)
- Infertility therapy adjunct—Progesterone (vaginal)
- Ovarian hormone therapy agent adjunct—Medroxyprogesterone (oral); Progesterone (oral)
- Progestational agent—Hydroxyprogesterone; Medrogestone; Medroxyprogesterone; Norethindrone; Progesterone
DescriptionProgestins (proe-JES-tins)
are hormones. They are used by both men and women for different
purposes.
Progestins are prescribed for several reasons:
-
To properly regulate the menstrual cycle and treat unusual stopping
of the menstrual periods (amenorrhea). Progestins work by causing changes
in the uterus. After the amount of progestins in the blood drops, the lining
of the uterus begins to come off and vaginal bleeding occurs (menstrual period).
Progestins help other hormones start and stop the menstrual cycle.
-
To help a pregnancy occur during egg donor or infertility procedures
in women who do not produce enough progesterone. Also, progesterone is given
to help maintain a pregnancy when not enough of it is made by the body.
-
To prevent estrogen from thickening the lining of the uterus (endometrial
hyperplasia) in women around menopause who are being treated with estrogen
for ovarian hormone therapy (OHT). OHT is also called hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
-
To treat a condition called endometriosis or unusual and heavy bleeding
of the uterus (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) by starting or stopping the
menstrual cycle.
-
To help treat cancer of the breast, kidney, or uterus. Progestins
help change the cancer cell's ability to react to other hormones and proteins
that cause tumor growth. In this way, progestins can stop the growth of a
tumor.
-
To test the body's production of certain hormones such as estrogen.
-
To treat loss of appetite and severe weight or muscle loss in patients
with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer by causing certain
proteins to be produced that cause increased appetite and weight gain.
Progestins may also be used for other conditions as determined by your
doctor.
Depending on how much and which progestin you use or take, a progestin
can have different effects. For instance, high doses of progesterone are necessary
for some women to continue a pregnancy while other progestins in low doses
can prevent a pregnancy from occurring. Other effects include causing weight
gain, increasing body temperature, developing the milk-producing glands for
breast-feeding, and relaxing the uterus to maintain a pregnancy.
Progestins can help other hormones work properly. Progestins may help to
prevent anemia (low iron in blood), too much menstrual blood loss, and cancer
of the uterus.
Progestins are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following
dosage forms:
Oral
-
Medrogestone
-
Medroxyprogesterone
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Megestrol
-
Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Norethindrone
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Progesterone
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
-
Hydroxyprogesterone
-
Medroxyprogesterone
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Progesterone
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
- Amen 3
- Aygestin 5
- Crinone 6
- Curretab 3
- Cycrin 3
- Depo-Provera 3
- Gesterol 50 6
- Gesterol LA 250 1
- Hy/Gestrone 1
- Hylutin 1
- Megace 4
- Prodrox 1
- Prometrium 6
- Pro-Span 1
- Provera 3
In Canada—
- Alti-MPA 3
- Apo-Megestrol 4
- Colprone 2
- Depo-Provera 3
- Gen-Medroxy 3
- Megace 4
- Megace OS 4
- Norlutate 5
- Novo-Medrone 3
- PMS-Progesterone 6
- Prometrium 6
- Provera 3
- Provera Pak 3
Another commonly used name is norethisterone .
|
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following progestins are numbered
to match the corresponding brand names.
|
| This information applies to the following medicines |
| 1. |
Hydroxyprogesterone (hye-drox-ee-proe-JES-te-rone)†‡ |
| 2. |
Medrogestone (me-droe-JES-tone)* |
| 3. |
Medroxyprogesterone (me-DROX-ee-proe-JES-te-rone)‡ |
| 4. |
Megestrol (me-JES-trole)‡ |
| 5. |
Norethindrone (nor-eth-IN-drone) |
| 6. |
Progesterone (proe-JES-ter-one)‡ |
| * Not commercially available in the U.S. |
| † Not commercially available in Canada |
| ‡ Generic name product may be available
in the U.S. |
|
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