Selective progesterone receptor modulator | |
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Drug class | |
![]() Ulipristal acetate, an SPRM that is used as an emergency contraceptive and in the treatment of uterine fibroids. | |
Class identifiers | |
Synonyms | SPRM |
Use | Emergency contraception, uterine fibroids |
ATC code | G03XB |
Biological target | Progesterone receptor |
Chemical class | Steroidal |
Legal status | |
In Wikidata |
A selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) is an agent that acts on the progesterone receptor (PR), the biological target of progestogens like progesterone. A characteristic that distinguishes such substances from full receptor agonists (e.g., progesterone, progestins) and full antagonists (e.g., aglepristone) is that their action differs in different tissues, i.e. agonist in some tissues while antagonist in others. This mixed profile of action leads to stimulation or inhibition in tissue-specific manner, which further raises the possibility of dissociating undesirable adverse effects from the development of synthetic PR-modulator drug candidates.[1]