Medroxyprogesterone vs Dutasteride: side-by-side comparison
Medroxyprogesterone (Progestin) and Dutasteride (Dual 5α-reductase inhibitor (type 1 and type 2)) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Medroxyprogesterone | Dutasteride |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Progestin | Dual 5α-reductase inhibitor (type 1 and type 2) |
| CAS | 520-85-4 | 164656-23-9 |
| ATC | G03DA02 | G04CB02 |
| Molecular weight | 344.49 g/mol | 528.53 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Medroxyprogesterone and Dutasteride share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Medroxyprogesterone acts by a different mechanism than Dutasteride, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Medroxyprogesterone: MPA bindet an Progesteronrezeptoren und entfaltet starke gestagene Wirkungen: Verdickung des Zervixschleims, Hemmung der Ovulation, Verdünnung des Endometriums und Verringerung von Hitzewallungen. Dutasteride: Dutasterid hemmt irreversibel beide Isoenzyme der 5α-Reduktase, des Enzyms, das Testosteron zu Dihydrotestosteron (DHT) umwandelt.
Indications compared
Medroxyprogesterone: MPA ist zugelassen bei Amenorrhoe, abnormalen Uterusblutungen aufgrund hormoneller Dysbalancen, zur Vorbeugung einer Endometriumhyperplasie bei postmenopausalen Frauen unter Östrogentherapie sowie zur Schwangerschaftsver… Dutasteride: Dutasterid ist zugelassen bei symptomatischer benigner Prostatahyperplasie, allein oder in Kombination mit Tamsulosin (Combodart/Jalyn) zur stärkeren Symptomlinderung.
Safety profile
Medroxyprogesterone: Häufige Nebenwirkungen von oralem MPA sind unregelmäßige Blutungen, Brustspannen, Stimmungsschwankungen, Flüssigkeitsretention und Gewichtszunahme. Dutasteride: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind sexuelle Funktionsstörungen (verminderte Libido, erektile Dysfunktion, Ejakulationsstörungen), Gynäkomastie und Brustspannen.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is Medroxyprogesterone better than Dutasteride? ▾
Medroxyprogesterone and Dutasteride are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Medroxyprogesterone and Dutasteride be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Medroxyprogesterone
Products with Dutasteride
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