Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Medroxyprogesterone is sometimes used with another medication (a type of estrogen) as combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women after menopause. Combination HRT can rarely cause very serious side effects such as heart disease (for example, heart attacks), stroke, serious blood clots (possibly in the lungs and legs), dementia, and breast cancer. Some of these risks appear to depend on the length of treatment and other factors. Combination HRT should be used for the shortest possible length of time at the lowest effective dose so you can obtain the benefits and minimize the chance of serious side effects from long-term treatment. Combination HRT should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment and your personal health history with your doctor. If you take combination HRT, check with your doctor regularly (for example, every 3-6 months) to see if you still need to take it.

If you use this medication for an extended period, you should have a complete physical exam at regular intervals (for example, once a year) or as directed by your doctor. See also Notes section.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea and vomiting.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is: aminoglutethimide.

Other medications can affect the removal of medroxyprogesterone from your body, which may affect how medroxyprogesterone works. Examples include rifamycins (such as rifampin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin).

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Do not share this medication with others.

Regular complete physical exams which include lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, breast exam/mammogram, pelvic exam, Pap smear) should be done while you are taking this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your breasts, and report any lumps right away. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this drug and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

For use in combination hormone replacement therapy with estrogens, take this medication usually once daily for the prescribed number of days each month as directed.

For the treatment of stopped menstrual periods (amenorrhea) and abnormal bleeding from the uterus, take this drug usually once daily for 5 to 10 days during the second half of the planned menstrual cycle or as directed by your doctor. Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 3 to 7 days after you stop taking the medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

See also Warning section.

Nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, headache, change in vaginal discharge, mood swings, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, or weight gain/loss may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding), mental/mood changes (such as depression, memory loss), swelling of the hands/feet, frequent/burning/painful urination, breast lumps, dark patches on the skin or face (melasma), yellowing eyes/skin, unusual tiredness.

This medication, especially if used along with an estrogen product, may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal) problems from blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs, legs, or eyes). Get medical help right away if you have: chest/jaw/left arm pain, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion, sudden/severe headaches, sudden dizziness/fainting, shortness of breath/rapid breathing, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, unusual sweating.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

See also Warning section.

Before taking medroxyprogesterone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Some Canadian brands of this product may contain inactive ingredients (such as soybean), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Some people who are allergic to peanuts may also be allergic to soy. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood clots, bleeding in the brain, liver disease, cancer of the breast or other female organs, vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, a loss of pregnancy with some tissue remaining in the uterus ("missed abortion"), family medical history (especially breast lumps and cancer), kidney disease, obesity, heart disease (such as past heart attacks, coronary artery disease, heart failure), high blood pressure, seizures, migraine headaches, asthma, high blood levels of cholesterol/fats, depression, diabetes, strokes, smoking.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.