Farlutale

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Farlutale

Property Description
Active Ingredient Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
Form Oral Tablet
Pharmacological Class Progestin / Hormonal Agent
Status Prescription-Only (Rx)
Origin Synthetic (steroid derivative)

Farlutale is a prescription-only medicine containing the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic derivative of the natural hormone progesterone. MPA is an established progestogen used in various therapeutic fields. This status indicates that the drug is recognized for use in conditions requiring progestin activity.

As a synthetic compound, Farlutale is most commonly provided as an oral tablet, distinguishing its route of administration from other MPA formulations that may be injectable. The oral dosage form is intended to provide ease of use for patients needing daily hormonal supplementation.

What Class of Medicine is Farlutale?

Farlutale is categorized as a progestin, placing it within the class of steroid hormonal agents. These medicines are clinically recognized for their ability to exert progestational effects, regulating processes linked to the female reproductive system. Progestins play a fundamental role in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting uterine health. As such, the medication is primarily used to balance hormone levels by mimicking the body's natural progesterone activity.

Primary Therapeutic Use of Farlutale

The general purpose of Farlutale is to manage and correct imbalances within the female endocrine system, specifically concerning the uterine lining. A typical use scenario involves helping to establish regular menstrual patterns in women experiencing secondary amenorrhea (missed periods due to hormonal causes). It is also commonly used to manage the uterine lining.

Its therapeutic goal is to help control the growth and shedding of the endometrium. This action is crucial, particularly when managing patients who receive unopposed estrogen therapy, where the progestin helps prevent the excessive thickening of the uterine lining, an action supported by clinical experience.

Regulatory References

  1. Medroxyprogesterone acetate DHPC | EMA
  2. Progestins - StatPearls | NIH NCBI
  3. Medroxyprogesterone - StatPearls | NIH NCBI

What side effects are possible with Farlutale?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate or MPA) is structured by governmental regulatory authorities using classifications of frequency and system-organ effects. The official documentation of adverse reactions spans multiple physiological systems, including Psychiatric Disorders, Nervous System Disorders, Vascular Disorders, and the Reproductive System.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse effects are categorized by frequency of occurrence, as documented in regulatory labels:

  • Very Common: These include headache and nervousness.
  • Common: These reactions, affecting up to 1 in 10 patients, include depression, insomnia, nausea, fatigue, changes in weight, and changes in menstrual flow.
  • Uncommon: Effects like acne, hirsutism, urticaria, and migraine are officially documented as occurring less frequently.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Regulatory documents highlight the potential for certain serious adverse reactions. These include an increased risk of thromboembolic events (such as Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism), and the potential for loss of bone mineral density (BMD) with long-term use. Severe systemic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, are also noted.

Specific safety considerations apply to particular contexts and populations. The medicine is officially contraindicated in individuals with a history of thromboembolic disorders, known or suspected breast malignancy, severe liver disease, and during pregnancy. For older postmenopausal women using MPA in combination with estrogen, official labeling notes an increased risk of cardiovascular events and probable dementia.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory information for Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate oral tablets) provides specific guidance regarding overdose, which is primarily informed by the drug's high tolerance profile.

Documented Overdose Profile

Feature Regulatory Statement Summary
Documented Manifestations The product is generally well tolerated even at high oral doses, such as those up to 3 grams per day. No unique acute symptoms or specific clinical signs of overdose are formally listed in official labeling.
Severe Outcomes None are explicitly documented as complications resulting directly from an overdose event in the official prescribing information.
Antidote Availability No specific antidote for medroxyprogesterone acetate overdose is documented.

Required Management and Action

In the event of an overdose, the official regulatory guidance focuses on procedural management rather than urgent life-saving interventions, consistent with the drug's low toxicity profile in this context:

  • Cessation of Therapy: The primary required action is to stop taking the medication immediately.
  • Supportive Treatment: Treatment for overdose is officially described as symptomatic and supportive.

When to Seek Medical Help: Since specific acute, life-threatening symptoms are not documented, the official labeling does not mandate a universal 'seek immediate medical attention' instruction solely for an overdose. However, medical professionals should always be contacted if any unusual or severe symptoms occur, as this remains the standard of care for any significant overexposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Farlutale

The primary therapeutic role of Farlutale is relevant for easing symptoms related to systemic imbalance within gynecological health. This medication is commonly used across conditions presenting with episodic or fluctuating symptom patterns within the female reproductive system, particularly in contexts marked by increased discomfort.

The tablet form is applied in contexts that include secondary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal factors, and contributes to the management of endometrial hyperplasia risk in postmenopausal women on estrogen therapy. It also may assist with managing the distressing symptomatic manifestations associated with endometriosis.

“This treatment supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress and assists with maintaining functional stability.”

Quick Fact: Relief for Endocrine-Driven Symptoms

Farlutale helps address symptom clusters that interfere with daily comfort and create noticeable functional strain. A primary benefit is that it may assist with supporting the management of menstrual pattern irregularity, which contributes to maintaining a sense of stability and supports general well-being during symptomatic periods.

Regulatory References

  1. DailyMed Label Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Farlutale?

The eligibility for Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is strictly defined by official regulatory documents, focusing on high-risk medical conditions and patient demographics.


Eligibility Map: Official Regulatory Statements

Eligibility Scope Regulatory Status and Description
Allowed Populations Adult women with secondary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, or postmenopausal women with a uterus receiving estrogen therapy.
Contraindicated Populations Individuals with known or suspected pregnancy; current or history of thromboembolic disorders (DVT, PE, stroke, MI); known or suspected breast cancer; or significant active liver disease.
Age-Related Rules Use is not established for pediatric patients and is not advised before menarche. Caution is noted for older adults (65+) when used with estrogen.
Special Restrictions Discontinuation is mandated if a meningioma is diagnosed. Patients with pre-existing conditions influenced by fluid retention, such as renal dysfunction, require careful monitoring.

Eligibility Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail Regulatory Statement
Severity Contraindicated (Absolute exclusion) for thromboembolic disease, cancer, and pregnancy. Not established for children. Conditional Restriction for organ function.
Lactation Status Use is restricted; potential benefits must be weighed against potential risks due to secretion in breast milk.

Connection to the overall eligibility profile

Regulatory documents strictly define who can and cannot use this medicine by establishing non-negotiable contraindications for high-risk conditions like active thromboembolic disorders, hormone-dependent cancers, and pregnancy. The profile further mandates explicit age-based limitations, prohibiting use in children and restricting use in adolescents pre-menarche, and requires conditional use or special caution for patients with impaired organ function or other risk factors.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The regulatory documentation for Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate) primarily defines its interaction profile through pharmacokinetic changes related to the CYP3A4 enzyme system. This system is the sole documented metabolic basis for potential interaction-related constraints.

Exposure Modification by Enzyme Inducers and Inhibitors

Farlutale is metabolized primarily via the CYP3A4 pathway. This metabolic route leads to expected changes in plasma exposure when co-administered with strong inhibitors or inducers of this enzyme.

  • Exposure Decrease: Strong CYP3A4 inducers are expected to decrease Farlutale concentrations, which may reduce its efficacy. This group includes certain antiseizure medicines (e.g., Phenytoin and Carbamazepine) and the herbal product St. John's wort.
  • Exposure Increase: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are conversely expected to increase Farlutale concentrations due to reduced clearance (e.g., Ketoconazole).

Specific Drug and Food Interactions

The antisteroidogenic medicine Aminoglutethimide is specifically documented to significantly depress Farlutale serum concentrations when co-administered with high oral doses. Furthermore, the drug’s bioavailability is increased when Farlutale is administered immediately before or after a meal, an official constraint related to administration timing relative to food intake. No timing-separation requirements are documented for other interactions.

Mechanism of Action

Farlutale functions as a synthetic progestogen, exerting its effects by binding selectively to the nuclear progesterone receptors (nPR-A and nPR-B) located in target tissues such as the uterus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. Upon binding, the ligand-receptor complex translocates into the cell nucleus and acts as a transcription factor, modulating the expression of specific target genes. This genomic action leads to altered cellular protein synthesis, which develops over several hours.

At the systemic level, Farlutale influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. It exerts negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, resulting in the suppression of gonadotropin secretion, particularly luteinizing hormone (LH). This modification in the HPO axis prevents the final stages of ovarian follicle development and follicular rupture.

In uterine tissue, the drug promotes the premature secretory transformation of the endometrium, counteracting proliferative changes. Additionally, it increases the viscosity and thickness of the cervical mucus, creating a physical and biochemical barrier.

Dosage and Administration Information

General Principles of Administration

Farlutale is administered via the oral route as a tablet and is intended to be swallowed whole with a drink of water. The medication is generally prescribed on an intermittent and cyclic schedule, rather than as a continuous daily treatment. This approach defines the usage pattern over a specific treatment window, which typically involves taking the tablet once daily for a short number of consecutive days, usually between 5 and 14 days.


Dosage Strengths and Schedules

Official strengths of the oral tablet include 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA). The prescribed daily dose typically falls within the 2.5 mg to 10 mg range for hormonal purposes. The dosing frequency is once daily, with the precise duration varying based on the clinical application:

Usage Pattern Duration of Daily Dosing
To support cyclical health 5 to 10 consecutive days per cycle
As an adjunct to estrogen therapy 10 to 14 consecutive days per month

Administration Context and Timing

Farlutale may be taken with or without food. Administration with food has been shown to increase the bioavailability, or overall absorption, of MPA. To ensure procedural consistency, the dose should be taken at approximately the same time each day during the treatment period.

If a dose is missed, the general guidance is to take the dose as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped entirely to maintain the proper schedule and avoid taking a double dose. The medication is not intended for use in pediatric patients before menarche, and administration requires procedural caution in patients with advanced liver disease due to altered drug elimination.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Farlutale


Evidence for use in Endometriosis-related Pain

Research has explored the use of Farlutale in studies evaluating physical discomfort associated with endometriosis, a condition characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations. These studies were conducted during periods of increased symptom activity and focused on outcomes related to physical discomfort and how these changes evolved in the observed populations over defined time intervals. Farlutale was studied for measured changes in outcomes related to physical discomfort and other symptoms. These findings help contextualize how patients reported their experience during the study period. It is important to remember that these results apply only to the populations studied, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly. Evidence regarding the long-term impact on the condition itself is limited.


Evidence for use in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Farlutale was evaluated in studies examining patterns associated with abnormal uterine bleeding, which is one of the conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes. Research examined how Farlutale related to outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance and sought to describe changes in bleeding patterns. The data show patterns related to the regularity and intensity of bleeding measured during the study period. For some individuals in the studies, research highlights changes measured during the study period related to the frequency and volume of bleeding events. However, the findings were mixed across various study designs, and the evidence quality varies across studies. Comparative evidence against other established methods is lacking.


What is Still Uncertain About Farlutale

The research provides context and contributes to understanding what is known — and what is still uncertain. Research has explored the mechanism of action, but was studied for its role, and research is ongoing to determine whether research suggests patterns of stability over the long term for every individual is an area where certainty remains low. Studies help show what has been observed so far, but they describe group patterns, not personal outcomes. Furthermore, data for certain groups remain insufficient.

Key Studies & References

  1. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE injection, suspension FDA DailyMed (used for Endometriosis indication and special populations/BMD)
  2. Dienogest Versus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate for Control of Menstrual Pain in Chinese Women with Endometriosis (Comparative study)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Farlutale (FAQ)

Q: What is Farlutale?

A: Farlutale is a brand name for the medicine medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). MPA is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone, which is a type of progestin. It works by acting similarly to progesterone in the body.

Q: What is Farlutale used for?

A: Farlutale is primarily used for several conditions related to the female reproductive system. These uses often include treating:

  • Secondary amenorrhea: This is when menstrual periods stop unexpectedly in women who are not pregnant or going through menopause.
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance, when a physical cause of bleeding (like fibroids or cancer) has been ruled out.

Q: How does Farlutale work?

A: Farlutale works because its active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a progestin. In women who have enough of the hormone estrogen, Farlutale helps transform the lining of the uterus (endometrium) from a proliferative state (where it grows thicker) to a secretory state. This change is important for the normal shedding of the endometrium, which leads to a menstrual period. By controlling the growth and shedding of the endometrium, it can help manage abnormal bleeding and restart periods.

Q: Can Farlutale be used during pregnancy?

A: No, Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate) should not be used if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, you should stop using it and contact your healthcare provider immediately. There are known risks associated with using this type of medicine during pregnancy.

How should Farlutale be stored and disposed of?

How to Store Farlutale

Farlutale (medroxyprogesterone acetate oral tablets) must be stored at controlled room temperature, specifically between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).

The official labeling mandates that the medicine be kept in its original container and that the container be tightly closed to protect the tablets from excess moisture and excess heat. The product must not be frozen and should be stored away from humid areas, such as a bathroom.

Child-Protection and Disposal

For safety, it is a regulatory requirement to keep Farlutale out of the sight and reach of children.

To dispose of unused or expired Farlutale, follow all federal, state, and local regulations for discarding pharmaceutical waste. The preferred disposal method is through a community drug take-back program. If this option is unavailable, the tablets should be mixed with an undesirable substance, placed in a sealed bag, and discarded in the household trash; the medicine must not be flushed down the toilet or poured into a drain.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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