medroxyprogesterone acetate
noun
me·droxy·pro·ges·ter·one acetate me-ˌdräk-sē-prō-ˈje-stə-ˌrōn- 
variants or medroxyprogesterone
: a synthetic progesterone C24H34O4 that is administered by injection as a long-acting contraceptive or is taken orally especially to treat amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding and in conjunction with estrogen to relieve the symptoms of menopause and prevent osteoporosis
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The hormone is known as DMPA, for intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and is marketed by Pfizer under the brand name Depo-Provera. 
New York Times, 13 June 2019 The shot Depo-Provera, also called the shot, is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a form of progestin, the Mayo Clinic says. Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Jan. 2019
New York Times, 13 June 2019 The shot Depo-Provera, also called the shot, is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a form of progestin, the Mayo Clinic says. Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Jan. 2019 Word History
Etymology
medr-, alteration of methylhydroxyl containing a methyl and hydroxyl group + oxy + progesterone
First Known Use
1960, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
medroxyprogesterone acetate
noun
me·droxy·pro·ges·ter·one acetate me-ˌdräk-sē-prō-ˈjes-tə-ˌrōn-
variants also medroxyprogesterone
: a synthetic progesterone C24H34O4 that is administered orally especially to treat amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding and in conjunction with conjugated estrogens to relieve the symptoms of menopause and to prevent osteoporosis and that is administered by injection as a long-acting contraceptive
Note: Medroxyprogesterone acetate is marketed under the trademarks Provera and Depo-Provera and when used in combination with conjugated estrogens, under the trademarks Prempro and Premphase.