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| Pronunciation |
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 (me
DROKS ee proe JES te rone AS e
tate) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Depo-Provera®;
Provera® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Contraceptive; Progestin |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- This medication should not be used during the first four months of
pregnancy. Progestins may cause birth defects to your unborn child. Contact your
healthcare provider if you think you may be pregnant. This medication does not
prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted
diseases.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to medroxyprogesterone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots, unexplained
vaginal bleeding, liver disease, stroke.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding
due to hormonal imbalance or amenorrhea (no period) where no other cause is
found. It is also used as additive therapy in endometrial, breast, and kidney
cancers that have spread.
- Additional treatment includes use as a long-acting form of birth
control when given as a shot every 3 months (usually given in the healthcare
provider's office).
- It can reduce endometrial changes in post-menopausal women taking
conjugated estrogens.
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| How does it work? |
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- Progestins are produced by the body and are used by the body for
development of milk-producing glands and for maintenance of the menstrual cycle.
- In the shot form, medroxyprogesterone acetate prevents egg development
and ovulation which protects against
pregnancy.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take the tablet with or without food. Take with food if this medicine
causes an upset stomach.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Tell healthcare provider if you have had a history of blood clots in
legs, arms, or lungs or a history of a stroke.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have breast or any genital cancers.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Tablet may discolor stool green.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Swelling of feet or bloated feeling, increased appetite, weight gain.
- Changes in vaginal bleeding.
- Breast tenderness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Periodic breast and gynecologic exams are important.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Swelling or pain of a leg or arm, sudden shortness of breath,
difficulty breathing, chest pain.
- Menstrual changes. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or
bleeding between cycles.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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