A review of drospirenone for safety and tolerability and effects on endometrial safety and lipid parameters contrasted with medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel, and micronized progesterone.
BACKGROUND
Drospirenone, a novel synthetic progestin, possesses characteristics more like natural progesterone than other synthetic progestins, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate and levonorgestrel. The antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties of drospirenone may, in the context of menopausal management, provide potential novel benefits in its effect on lipids and blood pressure while reducing the occurrence of water retention, acne vulgaris, and hirsutism.


METHODS
This review compares safety and tolerability data from clinical trials of drospirenone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel, and micronized progesterone.


RESULTS
Results suggest that drospirenone possesses a generally well-accepted side effect profile and resembles comparator oral progestogens in conferring endometrial protection with no significant effect on weight. One study indicates that drospirenone may have a benign effect on lipid parameters, having been seen to significantly lower total cholesterol and lowdensity lipoprotein levels while maintaining high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels. Drospirenone also differs from the other progestogens in lowering blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients while having a mild blood pressure-lowering effect on nonhypertensive patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Among pharmacological options for menopause management, drospirenone may provide certain advantages over other progestogens in its effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and, thus, constitutes a useful addition to the menopausal armamentarium.
Shulman
Lee P
LP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Genetics and Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. lshulman@nmh.org
D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016387:Women's Health
D000736:Androstenes; D011374:Progesterone; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; C035144:drospirenone