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Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate

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Indications

Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate is used for reducing the risk of preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy who have a history of singleton spontaneous preterm birth. It is also used for the prevention of preterm labor in a singleton pregnancy, for patients aged 16 years or older who have a history of spontaneous preterm birth.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a synthetic steroid hormone, similar to medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate. It is an ester derivative of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, formed from caproic acid (hexanoic acid). How progesterone prevents preterm birth is not well understood, but many pathways are likely involved. Progesterone helps regulate the female reproductive system, and it is important for successful implantation of the embryo and for maintaining pregnancy. It acts by binding to progesterone receptors in the uterus, ovaries, breasts and central nervous system. These receptors exist in 2 isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. Once progesterone binds to them, the end result is regulation of gene transcription. This produces an anti-inflammatory effect, which blunts the proinflammatory state that occurs when labor begins, and it maintains uterine quiescence by stabilizing progesterone acting on the myometrium.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Category B. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate in women during the first trimester of pregnancy. In a study of pregnant women who received the drug in their second and third trimesters, no teratogenic risk was shown for the infants exposed in utero. A follow-up safety study of those infants also showed none. The drug is not intended to stop active preterm labour, and its effect for that use is unknown.

Lactation: Detectable amounts of progestins have been found in the breast milk of women receiving progestins. No adverse effects of progestins have been seen on breastfeeding performance, or on the health, growth or development of infants. Discontinue the drug at 37 weeks of gestation or upon delivery.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate is given as an intramuscular injection, at a dose of 500 mg or 250 mg once a week. Treatment starts between 16 weeks, 0 days and 20 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy. The weekly injections continue until week 37 (through 36 weeks, 6 days) or until delivery, whichever comes first. Administration Clean the top of the ampoule with an alcohol swab before use. Draw up 1 ml of the medicine into a 2 ml syringe. Once the skin has been prepared, inject into the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus. The solution is viscous and oily, so a slow injection, over one minute or longer, is recommended. Applying pressure to the injection site may minimize bruising and swelling.