General Information and Indications:
Medroxyprogesterone is used to treat
abnormal menstruation (periods) or irregular vaginal bleeding.
Medroxyprogesterone is also used to bring on a normal menstrual cycle in
women who menstruated normally in the past but have not menstruated for at
least 6 months and who are not pregnant or undergoing menopause (change of
life). Medroxyprogesterone is also used to prevent overgrowth of the lining
of the uterus (womb) and may decrease the risk of cancer of the uterus in
patients who are taking estrogen. Medroxyprogesterone is in a class of
medications called progestins. It works by stopping the growth of the lining
of the uterus and by causing the uterus to produce certain hormones.
Information For Users:
Medroxyprogesterone comes as a tablet to take by
mouth. It is usually taken once a day on certain days of a regular monthly
cycle. To help you remember to take medroxyprogesterone, take it at around
the same time every day on the days you are scheduled to take it. Follow the
directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you
have any questions. Take medroxyprogesterone exactly as directed. Do not
take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health
care provider.
Medroxyprogesterone may control your condition but will not cure it.
Continue taking medroxyprogesterone according to your monthly schedule even
if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking medroxyprogesterone without
informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to medroxyprogesterone (Provera, Depo-Provera), any other
medications, or corn.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention aminoglutethimide (Cytadren). Your doctor may
need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for
side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding cancer of the breasts or
female organs; unexplained vaginal bleeding; a missed abortion (a pregnancy
that ended when the unborn child died in the uterus but was not expelled
from the body); blood clots in your legs, lungs, brain, or eyes; stroke or
mini-stroke; seizures; migraine headaches; depression; asthma; diabetes; or
heart, kidney, or liver disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking medroxyprogesterone,
call your doctor without delay. Medroxyprogesterone should never be used to
test for pregnancy or to prevent miscarriage during the first few months of
pregnancy. Medroxyprogesterone has not been shown to prevent miscarriage and
may harm the fetus.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking medroxyprogesterone.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Medroxyprogesterone may cause adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o breasts that are tender or produce a liquid
o changes in menstrual flow
o irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
o acne
o growth of hair on face
o loss of hair on scalp
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o drowsiness
o upset stomach
o weight gain or loss
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or tenderness in one leg only
o slow or difficult speech
o dizziness or faintness
o weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
o shortness of breath
o coughing up blood
o sudden sharp or crushing chest pain
o fast or pounding heartbeat
o sudden vision changes or loss of vision
o double vision (diplopia)
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o bulging eyes (Exophthalmos or Proptosis)
o missed periods
o depression
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o fever
o hives (Urticaria)
o skin rash
o itching
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Some laboratory animals who were given medroxyprogesterone developed breast
tumors. It is not known if medroxyprogesterone increases the risk of breast
cancer in humans. Medroxyprogesterone may also increase the chance that you
will develop a blood clot that moves to your lungs or brain. Talk to your
doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Brand Name(s):
o Depo-Provera®
o Depo-Provera® Contraceptive
o Provera®
Other Name(s):
o Lunelle® Monthly Contraceptive Injection
containing Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Estradiol Cypionate
o Premphcontaining Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, Conjugated Estrogens, and
Conjugated Estrogens
o Prempro® containing Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Conjugated Estrogens
o acetoxymethylprogesterone
o methylacetoxyprogesterone
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