Medroxyprogesterone

Medroxyprogesterone Prefilled Syringe is a prescription birth control injection used to help prevent pregnancy. It contains medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg, a progestin hormone, and is a generic for Depo-Provera®.

• It is a progestin-only contraceptive and does not contain estrogen.
• It mainly works by preventing ovulation.
• It also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
• The injection is given into the upper arm or buttock by a healthcare provider.
• One injection provides contraception on a schedule of every 3 months, or about 13 weeks.
• It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

A healthcare provider will review your health history before treatment to determine whether this birth control method is appropriate for you.

Medroxyprogesterone 150 mg is given as a deep injection into a muscle by a healthcare provider. After the first injection, you generally return for another injection every 3 months, or 13 weeks, to continue pregnancy protection.

• The injection may be given in the upper arm or buttock.
• Staying on schedule is important because protection may be reduced if your next injection is late.
• Your provider will determine when your first injection should be given based on factors such as your menstrual cycle, pregnancy status, and recent birth control use.
• Special instructions apply if you are late for an injection or recently gave birth.
• This 150 mg intramuscular product is not labeled as a routine self-injection.

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and the Patient Information for your individual injection schedule.

Common side effects can include irregular bleeding or spotting, periods that become lighter or stop, weight gain, headache, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, nervousness, and decreased interest in sex. Not everyone experiences the same effects, and this is not a complete list.

• Medroxyprogesterone injections can cause loss of bone mineral density, and bone loss may increase with longer use.
• Use for longer than 2 years is generally not recommended unless other birth control options are considered inadequate.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have unusually heavy or continuous vaginal bleeding.
• Seek urgent medical care for sudden shortness of breath, severe chest pain, severe leg pain or swelling, sudden vision changes, or sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking.
• Severe lower abdominal pain also requires prompt medical evaluation.

See Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information.

Medroxyprogesterone injections can lower bone mineral density, and the amount of bone loss may increase with longer use. Some bone loss may not fully recover after treatment stops. Because of this, use for longer than 2 years is generally not recommended unless other birth control options are considered inadequate. Tell your healthcare provider if you have osteoporosis risk factors, such as a history of bone disease, smoking, heavy alcohol use, an eating disorder, or long-term use of medicines that can weaken bones.

Tell your provider if you may be pregnant or have a history of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, migraines, seizures, diabetes, depression, or bone-health problems. Also mention if you are breastfeeding and share all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements you use. Some medicines can affect pregnancy protection. This information helps your provider decide whether Medroxyprogesterone is appropriate for you.

Your repeat injection is normally scheduled every 13 weeks. If more than 13 weeks have passed, contact your healthcare provider before getting another dose. They may need to make sure you are not pregnant before the next injection. Depending on your situation, you may also need backup contraception until your scheduled protection is re-established.

The FDA-approved labeling for this 150 mg intramuscular prefilled syringe describes the injection as being given by a healthcare provider into the upper arm or buttock. It should not be confused with other medroxyprogesterone products that may have different strengths or administration instructions. Follow the instructions provided for the exact product prescribed to you.

Return to fertility can take time after the final Medroxyprogesterone injection. In the study described in the prescribing information, the median time to pregnancy among patients who later became pregnant was about 10 months after the last injection. Some people became pregnant sooner and others later, so this is not a guaranteed timeline. Consider this delay when choosing a birth control method if you may want pregnancy soon.

Medroxyprogesterone can pass into breast milk. The supplied labeling reports that available data did not show harmful effects on milk production, milk quality, or studied infant development. However, the timing of the first injection after childbirth is important. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding so they can advise you on when to start based on your situation.

Yes. Certain medicines and herbal products may lower Medroxyprogesterone levels and reduce pregnancy protection. Examples include some seizure medicines, rifampin, and St. John’s wort. Your healthcare provider may recommend backup or another contraceptive method while you use an interacting treatment. Tell them about everything you take rather than stopping or changing another medicine on your own.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE injection, suspension / Source: DailyMed

Link: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=01e28bef-9758-40cf-a4ff-86ae9f4f5105 / Published: December 14, 2022