Clinical trial to evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medroxyprogesterone acetate after subcutaneous administration of Depo-Provera

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medroxyprogesterone acetate after a single subcutaneous injection in the abdomen of 150 or 300 mg Depo-Provera and compare results to two injections of Depo-SubQ Provera 104 given 3 months apart. Design: Partially randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study. Setting: Research unit. Patient(s): Forty-two women of reproductive age with confirmed ovulatory cycle and body mass index of 18–35 kg/m². Intervention(s): Women received a single subcutaneous injection of 150 mg (n = 24) or 300 mg (n = 9) of Depo-Provera or two injections of Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (n = 9). Main Outcome Measure(s): Suppression of ovulation as measured by progesterone, serum medroxyprogesterone acetate concentrations, and estimated pharmacokinetics parameters. Result(s): No ovulations were observed during 7 months after a single injection of 150 or 300 mg Depo-Provera. The 150 mg group had a similar C_max as observed over two injection cycles of Depo-SubQ Provera 104 and a similar 6-month trough concentration as the 3-month trough of Depo-SubQ Provera 104. Conclusion(s): Our pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics data provide proof of concept that Depo-Provera (150 mg) may be an effective contraceptive method when injected subcutaneously every 6 months, with up to a 4-week grace period for reinjections. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT02456584.