2.1 Dosing

• Hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection (Single-dose vials): Administer intramuscularly at a dose of 250 mg (1 mL) once weekly (every 7 days) in the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus by a healthcare provider
• Begin treatment between 16 weeks, 0 days and 20 weeks, 6 days of gestation
• Continue administration once weekly until week 37 (through 36 weeks, 6 days) of gestation or delivery, whichever occurs first

2.2 Preparation and Administration

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection is a clear pale yellow to yellow color oily solution. The solution must be clear at the time of use; replace vial if visible particles or crystals are present.



Specific instructions for administration by dosage form:



Hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection single-dose vials (intramuscular use only)



Hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection single-dose vials are only for intramuscular injection with a syringe into the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus, rotating the injection site to the alternate side from the previous week, using the following preparation and administration procedure:

1. Clean the vial top with an alcohol swab before use.
2. Draw up 1 mL of drug into a 3 mL syringe with an 18 gauge needle.
3. Change the needle to a 21 gauge 1½ inch needle.
4. After preparing the skin, inject in the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus. The solution is viscous and oily. Slow injection (over one minute or longer) is recommended.
5.  Applying pressure to the injection site may minimize bruising and swelling.

5.1 Thromboembolic Disorders

Discontinue hydroxyprogesterone caproate if an arterial or deep venous thrombotic or thromboembolic event occurs.

5.2 Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions, including urticaria, pruritus and angioedema, have been reported with use of hydroxyprogesterone caproate or with other products containing castor oil. Consider discontinuing the drug if such reactions occur.

5.3 Decrease in Glucose Tolerance

A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients on progestin treatment. The mechanism of this decrease is not known. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic women while they are receiving hydroxyprogesterone caproate.

5.4 Fluid Retention

Because progestational drugs may cause some degree of fluid retention, carefully monitor women with conditions that might be influenced by this effect (e.g., preeclampsia, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac or renal dysfunction).

5.5 Depression

Monitor women who have a history of clinical depression and discontinue hydroxyprogesterone caproate if clinical depression recurs.

5.6 Jaundice

Carefully monitor women who develop jaundice while receiving hydroxyprogesterone caproate and consider whether the benefit of use warrants continuation.

5.7 Hypertension

Carefully monitor women who develop hypertension while receiving hydroxyprogesterone caproate and consider whether the benefit of use warrants continuation.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In a vehicle (placebo)-controlled clinical trial of 463 pregnant women at risk for spontaneous preterm delivery based on obstetrical history, 310 received 250 mg of hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 153 received a vehicle formulation containing no drug by a weekly intramuscular injection beginning at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation and continuing until 37 weeks of gestation or delivery, whichever occurred first. [See Clinical Studies (14.1).]

Certain pregnancy-related fetal and maternal complications or events were numerically increased in the hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated subjects as compared to control subjects, including miscarriage and stillbirth, admission for preterm labor, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and oligohydramnios (Tables 1 and 2).

Common Adverse Reactions:

The most common adverse reaction with intramuscular injection was injection site pain, which was reported after at least one injection by 34.8% of the hydroxyprogesterone caproate group and 32.7% of the control group.  Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 2% of subjects and at a higher rate in the hydroxyprogesterone caproate group than in the control group. 

In the clinical trial using intramuscular injection, 2.2% of subjects receiving hydroxyprogesterone caproate were reported as discontinuing therapy due to adverse reactions compared to 2.6% of control subjects. The most common adverse reactions that led to discontinuation in both groups were urticaria and injection site pain/swelling (1% each).

Pulmonary embolus in one subject and injection site cellulitis in another subject were reported as serious adverse reactions in hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated subjects.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

• Body as a whole: Local injection site reactions (including erythema, urticaria, rash, irritation, hypersensitivity, warmth); fatigue; fever; hot flashes/flushes
• Digestive disorders: Vomiting
• Infections: Urinary tract infection
• Nervous system disorders: Headache, dizziness
• Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions: Cervical incompetence, premature rupture of membranes
• Reproductive system and breast disorders: Cervical dilation, shortened cervix
• Respiratory disorders: Dyspnea, chest discomfort
• Skin: Rash

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary



Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is indicated to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy who have a history of singleton spontaneous preterm birth. Fetal, neonatal, and maternal risks are discussed throughout labeling. Data from the placebo-controlled clinical trial and the infant follow-up safety study [see Clinical Studies (14.1, 14.2)] did not show a difference in adverse developmental outcomes between children of hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated women and children of control subjects. However, these data are insufficient to determine a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes as none of the hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated women received the drug during the first trimester of pregnancy. In animal reproduction studies, intramuscular administration of hydroxyprogesterone caproate to pregnant rats during gestation at doses 5 times the human dose equivalent based on a 60-kg human was not associated with adverse developmental outcomes.



In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.



Data



Animal Data



Reproduction studies of hydroxyprogesterone caproate administered to various animal species have been reported in the literature. In nonhuman primates, embryolethality was reported in rhesus monkeys administered hydroxyprogesterone caproate up to 2.4 and 24 times the human dose equivalent, but not in cynomolgus monkeys administered hydroxyprogesterone caproate at doses up to 2.4 times the human dose equivalent, every 7 days between days 20 and 146 of gestation. There were no teratogenic effects in either strain of monkey.



Reproduction studies have been performed in mice and rats at doses up to 95 and 5, respectively, times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to hydroxyprogesterone caproate.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary



Low levels of progestins are present in human milk with the use of progestin-containing products, including hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Published studies have reported no adverse effects of progestins on the breastfed child or on milk production.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is not indicated for use in women under 16 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in patients less than 16 years of age have not been established. A small number of women under age 18 years were studied; safety and efficacy are expected to be the same in women aged 16 years and above as for users 18 years and older [see Clinical Studies (14)].

8.6 Hepatic Impairment

No studies have been conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of hydroxyprogesterone caproate in patients with hepatic impairment. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is extensively metabolized and hepatic impairment may reduce the elimination of hydroxyprogesterone caproate.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a synthetic progestin. The mechanism by which hydroxyprogesterone caproate reduces the risk of recurrent preterm birth is not known.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

No specific pharmacodynamic studies were conducted with hydroxyprogesterone caproate.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Female patients with a singleton pregnancy received intramuscular doses of 250 mg hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the reduction of preterm birth starting between 16 weeks 0 days and 20 weeks 6 days. All patients had blood drawn daily for 7 days to evaluate pharmacokinetics.

For all three groups, peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC(1 to 7 days)) of the mono-hydroxylated metabolites were approximately 3 to 8­-fold lower than the respective parameters for the parent drug, hydroxyprogesterone caproate. While di-hydroxylated and tri-hydroxylated metabolites were also detected in human plasma to a lesser extent, no meaningful quantitative results could be derived due to the absence of reference standards for these multiple hydroxylated metabolites. The relative activity and significance of these metabolites are not known.

The elimination half-life of hydroxyprogesterone caproate, as evaluated from 4 patients in the study who reached full-term in their pregnancies, was 16.4 (±3.6) days. The elimination half-life of the mono-hydroxylated metabolites was 19.7 (±6.2) days.

Distribution: Hydroxyprogesterone caproate binds extensively to plasma proteins including albumin and corticosteroid binding globulins.

Metabolism: In vitro studies have shown that hydroxyprogesterone caproate can be metabolized by human hepatocytes, both by phase I and phase II reactions. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate undergoes extensive reduction, hydroxylation and conjugation. The conjugated metabolites include sulfated, glucuronidated and acetylated products. In vitro data indicate that the metabolism of hydroxyprogesterone caproate is predominantly mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The in vitro data indicate that the caproate group is retained during metabolism of hydroxyprogesterone caproate.

Excretion: Both conjugated metabolites and free steroids are excreted in the urine and feces, with the conjugated metabolites being prominent. Following intramuscular administration to pregnant women at 10 to 12 weeks gestation, approximately 50% of a dose was recovered in the feces and approximately 30% recovered in the urine.



Drug Interactions

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes: An in vitro inhibition study using human liver microsomes and CYP isoform-selective substrates indicated that hydroxyprogesterone caproate increased the metabolic rate of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2B6 by approximately 80%, 150%, and 80%, respectively. However, in another in vitro study using human hepatocytes under conditions where the prototypical inducers or inhibitors caused the anticipated increases or decreases in CYP enzyme activities, hydroxyprogesterone caproate did not induce or inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2A6, or CYP2B6 activity. Overall, the findings indicate that hydroxyprogesterone caproate has minimal potential for CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2B6 related drug-drug interactions at the clinically relevant concentrations.

In vitro data indicated that therapeutic concentration of hydroxyprogesterone caproate is not likely to inhibit the activity of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate has not been adequately evaluated for carcinogenicity.



No reproductive or developmental toxicity or impaired fertility was observed in a multigenerational study in rats. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate administered intramuscularly, at gestational exposures up to 5 times the recommended human dose, had no adverse effects on the parental (F0) dams, their developing offspring (F1), or the latter offspring's ability to produce a viable, normal second (F2) generation.

14.1 Clinical Trial to Evaluate Reduction of Risk of Preterm Birth

In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle (placebo)-controlled clinical trial, the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the reduction of the risk of spontaneous preterm birth was studied in women with a singleton pregnancy (age 16 to 43 years) who had a documented history of singleton spontaneous preterm birth (defined as delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation following spontaneous preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes). At the time of randomization (between 16 weeks, 0 days and 20 weeks, 6 days of gestation), an ultrasound examination had confirmed gestational age and no known fetal anomaly. Women were excluded for prior progesterone treatment or heparin therapy during the current pregnancy, a history of thromboembolic disease, or maternal/obstetrical complications (such as current or planned cerclage, hypertension requiring medication, or a seizure disorder).

A total of 463 pregnant women were randomized to receive either hydroxyprogesterone caproate (N=310) or vehicle (N=153) at a dose of 250 mg administered weekly by intramuscular injection starting between 16 weeks, 0 days and 20 weeks, 6 days of gestation, and continuing until 37 weeks of gestation or delivery. Demographics of the hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated women were similar to those in the control group, and included: 59.0% Black, 25.5% Caucasian, 13.9% Hispanic and 0.6% Asian. The mean body mass index was 26.9 kg/m2.

The proportions of women in each treatment arm who delivered at < 37 (the primary study endpoint), < 35, and < 32 weeks of gestation are displayed in Table 5.

Compared to controls, treatment with hydroxyprogesterone caproate reduced the proportion of women who delivered preterm at < 37 weeks. The proportions of women delivering at < 35 and < 32 weeks also were lower among women treated with hydroxyprogesterone caproate. The upper bounds of the confidence intervals for the treatment difference at < 35 and < 32 weeks were close to zero. Inclusion of zero in a confidence interval would indicate the treatment difference is not statistically significant. Compared to the other gestational ages evaluated, the number of preterm births at < 32 weeks was limited.

After adjusting for time in the study, 7.5% of hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated subjects delivered prior to 25 weeks compared to 4.7% of control subjects; see Figure 1.

Figure 1 Proportion of Women Remaining Pregnant as a Function of Gestational Age

The rates of fetal losses and neonatal deaths in each treatment arm are displayed in Table 6. Due to the higher rate of miscarriages and stillbirths in the hydroxyprogesterone caproate arm, there was no overall survival difference demonstrated in this clinical trial. 

A composite neonatal morbidity/mortality index evaluated adverse outcomes in live births.  It was based on the number of neonates who died or experienced respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, proven sepsis, or necrotizing enterocolitis. Although the proportion of neonates who experienced 1 or more events was numerically lower in the hydroxyprogesterone caproate arm (11.9% vs. 17.2%), the number of adverse outcomes was limited and the difference between arms was not statistically significant.

14.2 Infant Follow-Up Safety Study

Infants born to women enrolled in this study, and who survived to be discharged from the nursery, were eligible for participation in a follow-up safety study. Of 348 eligible offspring, 79.9% enrolled: 194 children of hydroxyprogesterone caproate-treated women and 84 children of control subjects. The primary endpoint was the score on the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), which evaluates communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal/social parameters. The proportion of children whose scores met the screening threshold for developmental delay in each developmental domain was similar for each treatment group.