Veraplex

Veraplex is a progestogen agent used in systemic therapy.

Indications Veraplexa

It is used for inoperable hormone-sensitive endometrial cancer, as well as for breast cancer during menopause, accompanied by metastases.

Release form

The medicinal substance is produced in tablets of 0.1 g (10 pieces in a blister pack and 10 such packs in a box), as well as 0.5 g (10 pieces in a pack, 3 packs in a box).

Pharmacodynamics

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is an artificial progestogen with antiandrogenic, antiestrogenic and antigonadotropic activity. The drug inhibits the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, thereby preventing ovulation in women of childbearing age.

When used by men, medroxyprogesterone acetate slows the activity of interstitial cells, which reduces testosterone production.

Administration in large doses causes an antitumor effect in the case of malignant hormone-sensitive neoplasms. This is due to the activity shown in relation to the endings of steroid hormones, as well as the pituitary-gonadal axis.

Pharmacokinetics

The substance taken orally is absorbed at a high rate. The most effective level of the drug is observed within 2-7 hours from the moment of use. When 0.5 g of medroxyprogesterone acetate is administered, the Cmax values reach 78.7-121 ng/ml after 4.5 hours. The substance indicators increase with increasing dosage.

The drug with its metabolic products passes into the kidneys, NS and placenta. About 90-95% of medroxyprogesterone acetate undergoes intraplasmic protein synthesis.

Excretion of the drug occurs with urine and bile, in the form of complex compounds.

Dosing and administration

The medication should be taken with food.

To treat endometrial cancer, it is necessary to take 0.2-0.5 g of the medicine per day.

In case of breast cancer treatment, it is necessary to use 0.5 g of the drug per day. If necessary, the dose can be increased (with the doctor's permission). This parameter depends on the patient's response to therapy and the stage of the pathology. There is no information regarding the safety of taking medroxyprogesterone in daily doses exceeding 1.2 g for the treatment of breast carcinoma.

Therapy should be continued until a clinical result is achieved.

The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment in some cases develops only after 2-2.5 months of drug use.

If the disease progresses, therapy with Veraplex is discontinued.

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Use Veraplexa during pregnancy

Veraplex should not be administered to breastfeeding or pregnant women.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of intolerance to medroxyprogesterone acetate or other components of the drug;
• CHF of severe severity;
• elevated blood pressure, as well as thromboembolic diseases that have a recurrent form;
• severe liver dysfunction: for example, hepatitis or intrahepatic cholestasis (or if the patient previously had these disorders, but liver function values have not stabilized), Dubin-Johnson syndrome, as well as liver neoplasms and Rotor syndrome;
• disorders that arise or worsen during therapy using sex hormones (for example, intrahepatic cholestasis, otosclerosis, painful, severe itching, porphyria, and herpes that develops in pregnant women);
• vaginal bleeding of unknown origin;
• bleeding from the urethra of unknown origin;
• structural changes in the mammary glands of unknown genesis.

Side effects Veraplexa

Taking the therapeutic agent may cause the occurrence of certain side effects:

• allergy symptoms: anaphylaxis with anaphylactic signs, as well as Quincke's edema;
• CNS dysfunction: feeling of fatigue, irritability or drowsiness, dizziness, depression, insomnia and headaches;
• disorders affecting the subcutaneous layer and epidermis: itching, alopecia, acne, urticaria, and hirsutism;
• reproductive disorders: prolonged anovulation, menstrual cycle disorders (amenorrhea or sudden bleeding), as well as cervical discharge processes;
• problems related to the mammary glands: galactorrhea or soreness;
• digestive disorders: nausea or intrahepatic cholestasis;
• disorders in the functioning of the cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, heart failure, palpitations, and in addition, thrombophlebitis with thromboembolism;
• damage to the visual organs: thrombosis of the retinal vessels and weakening of vision;
• metabolic disorders: adrenergic-like symptoms (hyperhidrosis, tremors in the hands and cramps affecting the calf muscles at night) and decreased glucose tolerance;
• changes in laboratory test results: an increase in the number of platelets with leukocytes;
• gastrointestinal disorders: vomiting, changes in appetite, diarrhea, dyspeptic symptoms and nausea;
• Other signs include weight gain, moon face, hot flashes, hyperthermia, and fluid retention.

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Overdose

In case of intoxication, vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea may occur.

To eliminate these disorders, symptomatic procedures are prescribed.

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Interactions with other drugs

Combined use with aminoglutethimide significantly increases the bioavailability of medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate may affect laboratory test results: plasma progesterone levels, estrogen levels (women), gonadotropins, testosterone (men), urinary pregnanediol levels, metyrapone and glucose tolerance tests.

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Storage conditions

Veraplex should be stored in a dry place, out of reach of children. Temperature marks – within the range of 15-25°C.

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Shelf life

Veraplex can be used for a period of 5 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Application for children

The drug is not used in pediatrics.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Depo-Provera, Cyclothal, Provera with Megestrone, and also Medroxyprogesterone-LENS, Farlutal and MPA.

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