Correct Spelling of Depo-Provera
The correct spelling of the injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate is "Depo-Provera." 1, 2
Medication Details
Depo-Provera is the brand name for injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, a progestin-only contraceptive that is administered as:
- 150 mg deep intramuscular (IM) injection every 3 months (13 weeks) in the gluteal or deltoid muscle 1
- Alternative formulation: 104 mg subcutaneous injection every 13 weeks 1
Chemical Composition
Medroxyprogesterone acetate is the active ingredient in Depo-Provera with the chemical name pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 17-(acetyloxy)-6-methyl-, (6α-). It is:
- A white to off-white odorless crystalline powder
- Stable in air
- Melts between 200°C and 210°C
- Freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in acetone and dioxane, sparingly soluble in alcohol and methanol, slightly soluble in ether, and insoluble in water 2
Formulation
Each mL of the injectable suspension contains:
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate: 150 mg
- Polyethylene glycol 3350: 28.9 mg
- Polysorbate 80: 2.41 mg
- Sodium chloride: 8.68 mg
- Methylparaben: 1.37 mg
- Propylparaben: 0.150 mg
- Water for injection qs 2
Common Abbreviations
In medical literature and guidelines, Depo-Provera is frequently abbreviated as:
- DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) 3, 1
- Sometimes referred to as "the shot" or "the injection" in patient materials
Clinical Context
Depo-Provera is classified in contraceptive guidelines as:
- A progestin-only injectable (POI) contraceptive 3
- A highly effective contraceptive with a failure rate less than 1% with perfect use and approximately 6% with typical use 1
- A long-acting reversible contraceptive option that requires administration every 13 weeks 1
Important Note
When documenting in medical records or writing prescriptions, using the correct spelling "Depo-Provera" is essential to avoid medication errors. The hyphen between "Depo" and "Provera" is part of the official brand name and should be included in all documentation 2.