Medroxyprogesterone (By injection)

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Prevents pregnancy. Also treats endometriosis and is used with other medicines to help relieve symptoms of cancer, including uterine or kidney cancer.

Drug classes

Antineoplastic Agent, Contraceptive, Contraceptive, Progestin, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Medroxyprogesterone injection is used to prevent pregnancy. It is a birth control method that works by stopping a woman’s egg from fully developing each month. The egg can no longer accept a sperm and fertilization is prevented.

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective than birth control pills. Discuss your options for birth control with your doctor.

This medicine does not prevent AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. It will not help as emergency contraception, such as after unprotected sexual contact.

Medroxyprogesterone injection is also used with other medicines to help relieve symptoms of inoperable, recurrent, and metastatic (cancer that has already spread) endometrial or kidney cancer.

This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or just under the skin.

Your exact treatment schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine. You doctor will explain your personal schedule.

For treatment of cancer symptoms, you may start with a shot once per week. You may need fewer shots as your treatment goes forward. For birth control or endometriosis, you will need a shot every 3 months (13 weeks). Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You might need to have the first shot during the first 5 days of your normal menstrual period, to make sure you are not pregnant. If you have just had a baby, you may receive a shot 5 days after birth if you are not breastfeeding or 6 weeks after birth if you are breastfeeding.

Missed dose: You must receive a shot every 3 months if you want to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you do not receive your medicine on time, because you may need another form of birth control.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some foods and medicines can affect how medroxyprogesterone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Aminoglutethimide, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, nefazodone, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, St John’s wort, topiramate Medicine to treat an infection (including clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, telithromycin, voriconazole) Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to medroxyprogesterone or if you have a history of breast cancer or blood clots (including heart attack or stroke). In most cases, you should not use this medicine while you are pregnant.

Warnings

Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, seizures, migraine headaches, an eating disorder, osteoporosis, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you smoke.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Blood clots, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, or other serious problems Possible increased risk of breast cancer Weak or thin bones, especially with long-term use

You should not use this medicine for long-term birth control unless you cannot use any other form of birth control.

This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Heavy or nonstop vaginal bleeding

Loss of vision, double vision

Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

Severe stomach pain or cramps

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Headache

Light or missed monthly periods, spotting between periods

Nervousness or dizziness

Pain, redness, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given

Weight gain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Depo-Provera, Depo-Provera Contraceptive, Depo-SubQ Provera 104

There may be other brand names for this medicine.