Medroxyprogesterone, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hormone

Generic and brand names: medroxyprogesterone, injection; Depo-Provera; Depo-SubQ Provera 104

What is this medicine used for?

This is a long-acting medicine given by injection (shot) into a muscle to treat endometrial cancer or kidney cancer. It is also used for long-term birth control when shots are given every 3 months.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder
• asthma
• blood clots in your legs, lungs, brain, or eyes
• breast cancer, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer
• depression
• diabetes
• heart disease or stroke
• liver disease
• kidney problems
• migraine headaches
• osteoporosis
• seizures
• unexplained vaginal bleeding

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine may cause birth defects if given during the first 4 months of pregnancy. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are usually given by a healthcare provider.

For cancer treatments, these shots may be given weekly at first and then at longer intervals depending on your response. Keep all your appointments for shots.

When given to prevent pregnancy, this medicine is usually started during the first 5 days of a normal menstrual period. For prevention of pregnancy these shots must be given every 3 months. If you miss an appointment to receive your injection, contact your healthcare provider. You may not be protected from pregnancy if you do not get your shots on schedule.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may decrease the amount of calcium in your bones. This may increase your risk of osteoporosis and broken bones. Your provider may tell you take calcium and vitamin D to lessen the loss of calcium from your bones. If you need birth control for more than 2 years, your healthcare provider may suggest another birth control method or ask you to have bone density tests.

Read any information your healthcare provider gives you about the use of this medicine.

After several shots of this medicine, your menstrual periods may stop and you may not be able to conceive for several months.

You may have a lump or darkened skin where you had the shot.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg; sudden change in your vision; severe headaches; depression; swelling, warmth, redness, or pain in your legs; yellowish skin or eyes; severe stomach pain; slurred speech.

Other: Breast tenderness, nervousness, trouble sleeping, acne, irregular periods, nausea, weight gain, tiredness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• acitretin (Soriatane)
• aminoglutethimide (Cytadren)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• bexarotene (Targretin)
• bosentan (Tracleer)
• griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Gris-Peg)
• nevirapine (Viramune)
• rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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