The molecule is an acetate ester resulting from the formal condensation of the 17alpha-hydroxy group of medroxyprogesterone with the carboxy group of acetic acid. A widely used progestin in menopausal hormone therapy and in progestogen-only birth control. It has a role as a progestin, an androgen, a female contraceptive drug, a synthetic oral contraceptive, an adjuvant, an inhibitor, an antioxidant and an antineoplastic agent. It is a steroid ester, an acetate ester, a 20-oxo steroid, a 3-oxo-Delta(4) steroid and a corticosteroid. It derives from a medroxyprogesterone.
[(6S,8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-17-acetyl-6,10,13-trimethyl-3-oxo-2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl] acetate