Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

💊 What is Medroxyprogesterone Acetate used for?

• •Treating menstrual periods that have stopped (secondary amenorrhea)
• •Treating abnormal uterine bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance, when no serious disease such as fibroids or uterine cancer is present
• •Preventing thickening of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia) in women who still have a uterus, are past menopause, and take daily oral conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg tablets

How it works

The label describes medroxyprogesterone acetate as a progestin hormone and a derivative of progesterone. It does not explain in detail how the medicine works in the body.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to start at the lowest dose and to talk with your healthcare provider about how well that dose is working for you. It says you and your provider should talk regularly, about every 3 to 6 months, about the dose you take and whether you still need treatment. The dose and number of days depend on the reason for use, so follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. The label does not include details about taking the tablets with food or at a set time of day.

Comes as

• •2.5 mg tablets
• •5 mg tablets
• •10 mg tablets (white, round, scored)

⚠️ Medroxyprogesterone Acetate side effects

🛑 Who should not take Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
• 🚨You have or have had breast cancer
• 🚨You have or are suspected to have estrogen- or progesterone-dependent cancer
• 🚨You have active deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), or a history of these
• 🚨You have active arterial thromboembolic disease, such as stroke or heart attack, or a history of these
• 🚨You are allergic to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any of its ingredients
• 🚨You have liver impairment or disease
• 🚨You are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your provider if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, certain cancers, a past stroke or heart attack, blood clots, or liver problems.
• •Tell your provider if you have asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, migraine, endometriosis, lupus, or problems with your heart, liver, thyroid, or kidneys, or high calcium in your blood. The label says these conditions may mean you need closer checks.
• •Tell your provider if you are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest. The label says your provider will tell you whether you need to stop the medicine.
• •Tell your provider if you are breastfeeding, because the hormone can pass into breast milk.
• •Tell your provider if you think you may be pregnant. The label says you should have a pregnancy test and know the result, and it says the medicine should not be used as a pregnancy test.
• •Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

🔀 Medroxyprogesterone Acetate with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •The label says some medicines may affect how medroxyprogesterone acetate works, and that it may also affect how other medicines work. It does not list specific medicines in the text provided. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist about all medicines you take.

Alcohol and food

The label does not say.

🤰 Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says medroxyprogesterone acetate should not be used during pregnancy and lists it as Pregnancy Category X. It says there may be increased risks for hypospadias, clitoral enlargement, and labial fusion in children whose mothers were exposed during the first trimester, but a clear link has not been established. It also says minor birth defects may be more likely if the mother took the medicine during the first 4 months of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The label says medroxyprogesterone acetate should not be used during breastfeeding. It says detectable amounts of progestin have been found in the breast milk of nursing mothers who take progestins.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says an overdose of estrogen plus progestin therapy may cause nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain, drowsiness or fatigue, and withdrawal bleeding. Treatment consists of stopping the medicine and giving appropriate supportive care.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

• Why am I being prescribed this medicine, and is it right for my condition?
• What dose and schedule did you choose for me, and how long should I take it?
• How often should we review whether I still need this medicine?
• What signs of a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack should prompt me to call for help right away?
• Could this medicine affect any other medicines or supplements I take?
• What should I do if I think I might be pregnant while taking this medicine?

❓ Medroxyprogesterone Acetate: frequently asked questions