Meprate (Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10mg)

Meprate general information

What is Meprate used for?

Meprate tablets 10mg are used to treat several menstrual and uterine problems.  These include amenorrhoea, which is the lack of menstrual periods in women of reproductive age and can be primary, where periods have never started and are absent, or secondary, where periods have stopped after 6 months or more; also to help establish normal regular menstrual cycles where abnormal uterine bleeding occurs during the menstrual cycle instead of at the end.  Meprate tablets 10mg are also used to treat endometriosis, where growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus causes pain and bleeding, and can lead to infertility.  Meprate tablets 10mg are also used to counteract the stimulating effect of oestrogen on the endometrium, reducing the risk of endometrial cancer, which can develop in response to oestrogen in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms.  Meprate tablets 10mg are also used as an additional and/or palliative treatment for endometrial carcinoma (cancer) and renal carcinoma that is recurrent and/or metastatic; also for treatment of hormonally-dependent, recurrent breast cancer in post-menopausal women.  Adding a progestin with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals and Meprate tablets 10mg are used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate breast development and reduce the production of testosterone 

How does Meprate work?

Meprate tablets 10mg contain medroxyprogesterone, a progestogen or synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone.  Endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone is produced by the ovaries during the second phase of the menstrual cycle.  It acts on the endometrium (lining of the uterus) converting the proliferating phase to the secretory phase.  This causes the endometrium, which has thickened in response to oestrogen during the first half of the cycle, to stop growing and start secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs; if not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation).  Medroxyprogesterone in Meprate tablets 10mg works in a similar way to endogenous progesterone, and helps re-establish a regular menstrual cycle in the treatment of secondary amenorrhoea or abnormal uterine bleeding during the menstrual cycle.  Medroxyprogesterone in Meprate tablets 10mg acts on uterine endometrium to reduce prevent proliferation of the endometrium and reduce risk of endometrial cancer in women taking HRT; also to prevent the endometrium it growing in all its locations, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding.  

What does Meprate contain?

Meprate tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, used for HRT and treating several menstrual and uterine problems.

Treating menstrual problems with Meprate

Meprate tablets 10mg contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore, works in a similar way.  A normal menstrual cycle is dependent on the interaction of several hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries as well other regulating hormones produced by the pituitary gland.  If any of these hormones are not produced in the correct amounts this can disrupt the cycle and cause problems like amenorrhoea (menstrual periods that have stopped, are absent or irregular) and abnormal uterine bleeding during the menstrual cycle instead of at the end.  Meprate tablets 10mg can re-establish a regular menstrual cycle by helping to restore natural hormone levels. 

Treating endometriosis with Meprate

Meprate tablets 10mg contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way.  During a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone (produced by the ovaries) acts on the endometrium and causes it to stop growing and start secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs.  If not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation).  Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus that behaves in the same way as uterine endometrium.  Meprate tablets 10mg act on the endometrium in all its locations to stop it growing, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding. 

Meprate for hormone replacement therapy

Taking oestrogen for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps reduce symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, including, hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Oestrogen also has several other beneficial actions in various metabolic processes including bone turnover and lipid (fat) metabolism, but its effect of thickening the endometrium (uterine lining) can lead to endometrial (uterine) cancer in some menopausal women taking oestrogen only HRT.  Meprate tablets 10mg counteract the stimulating effect of oestrogen on the endometrium, reducing the risk of endometrial cancer, which can develop in response to an oestrogen, in women taking HRT for menopausal symptoms.   

Meprate for transgender treatment

Meprate tablets 10mg contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way.  Adding a progestin with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals and Meprate tablets 10mg are used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and to reduce the production of testosterone.

What is the difference between a synthetic progesterone and natural progesterone?

Meprate tablets 10mg contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way.  However, unlike natural progesterone it is easily absorbed and can be taken in tablet form at relatively low concentrations, whereas natural progesterone is not well absorbed by the gastrointestinal system and until recently could only be administered by injection.  A new form of micronized progesterone (reduced to tiny particles so that it is better absorbed) is also available. 

What are the side effects of Meprate?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Meprate tablets 10mg include acne, menstrual changes (breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or missed periods), breast tenderness, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, nausea, nervousness, skin rash and itch, sleeplessness, stomach pain, hair loss, weight changes (gain or loss). 

What are the health risks of using Provera?

Long-term HRT with Meprate tablets 10mg does have associated health risks, particularly increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with oestrogen alone HRT, but it does reduce risk of endometrial cancer.  Combined HRT with oestrogen and progestin therapy has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.  If you are pre-menopausal and particularly if you have a family history of brittle bones (osteoporosis) you may be at risk of losing bone mineral density and developing brittle bones.

When should Meprate not be used?

You should not use Meprate tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to medroxyprogesterone or any ingredients in Meprate
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• have a carcinoma of the breast or endometrial carcinoma
• a history of thrombosis (blood clots) or stroke
• porphyria (a metabolic disease resulting in abnormal pigment in the urine and skin)
• abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
• have severe uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
• are taking aminoglutethimide, used to treat breast cancer, as this may reduce the effectiveness of Meprate

How should Meprate be taken?

You should take your Meprate tablets 10mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food at the same time each day.  The dose of Meprate tablets 10mg you take, how often your take it and for how long, will depend on the condition for which you are being treated and should be as recommended by your doctor.  You should take your Meprate tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Meprate?

You should take your Meprate tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Meprate

If you miss a dose of Meprate tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Meprate be stored?

You should store your Meprate tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.