National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
Send to Printer
NCI Drug Dictionary

medroxyprogesterone
A synthetic derivative of progesterone administered as an acetate salt (medroxyprogesterone acetate) with antiestrogenic activity. As a do all progestins, medroxyprogesterone binds to and activates nuclear receptors which subsequently bind to and activate target genes for transcription. As an antiestrogen, this agent may inhibit the growth-stimulating effects of estrogen on estrogen-sensitive tumor cells. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)

Synonym:medroxyprogesterone acetate
US brand names:Curretab
Depo-Provera
Provera
Provera Dosepak
Abbreviation:MPA
Chemical structure names:
  • (6alpha)-17-hydroxy-6-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione
  • 17alpha-hydroxy-6alpha-methylprogesterone
  • 6alpha-methyl-17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone
  • 6alpha-methyl-4-pregnen-17alpha-ol-3,20-dione

Previous:mechlorethamine hydrochloride, Meclan, meclocycline sulfosalicylate, Medlone 21, Medrol
Next:Megace, megestrol acetate, MEK inhibitor AZD8330, MEK inhibitor GSK1120212, MEK inhibitor RDEA119