“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a synthetic steroid hormone that is similar to medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate. It is an ester derivative of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone formed from caproic acid (hexanoic acid).
Pharmacology
The mechanism by which progesterone prevents preterm birth is not well understood, but many pathways are likely involved. (1) Progesterone plays a vital role in regulation of the female reproductive system and is important for successful implantation of the embryo and maintenance of pregnancy. It acts by binding to progesterone receptors in the uterus, ovaries, breasts and in the central nervous system. These receptors exist in 2 isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. Progesterone binding to these receptors ultimately leads to regulation of gene transcription. (2) This results in an anti-inflammatory effect which blunts the proinflammatory state that occurs with initiation of labor, and maintains uterine queiscence by stabilizing progesterone acting on the myometrium.