What is Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Medroxyprogesterone is a progestin (a form of progesterone), a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and menstrual periods.
Medroxyprogesterone is used to treat conditions such as absent or irregular menstrual periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone is also used to decrease the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a condition that may lead to uterine cancer) while taking estrogens.
Medroxyprogesterone is also used to prevent overgrowth in the lining of the uterus in postmenopausal women who are receiving estrogen hormone replacement therapy.
Medroxyprogesterone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Medroxyprogesterone is a form of progesterone, a female hormone that prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Medroxyprogesterone is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to reduce pain cause by endometriosis.
Medroxyprogesterone is also used to ease pain and other symptoms in women with metastatic uterine or kidney cancer. This medication is not a cure for these conditions.
Medroxyprogesterone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
You should not use this medication if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, a history of stroke or blood clot, or abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.
Medroxyprogesterone will not prevent heart disease, breast cancer, or dementia, and may actually increase the risk of developing these conditions in post-menopausal women. Medroxyprogesterone may also increase the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer in some women. Long-term treatment with estrogens and progestins (such as medroxyprogesterone) may also increase your risk of heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.
Talk to your doctor about your specific risks and benefits of taking this medication, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use medroxyprogesterone if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, liver disease, or a history of a stroke or blood clot.
Medroxyprogesterone may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) especially when used over long periods of time. Bone loss may not be reversible. Do not use this medication for longer than 2 years. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of bone loss.
Medroxyprogesterone will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
FDA pregnancy category X. Medroxyprogesterone can cause birth defects. Do not use if this medication you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone, or if you have:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed
- a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
- liver disease; or
- a history of stroke or blood clot
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take medroxyprogesterone:
- heart disease, congestive heart failure, recent stroke or heart attack
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol or triglycerides
- low levels of calcium in your blood
- severe pelvic pain
- recent miscarriage or abortion
- epilepsy
- asthma
- migraine headaches
- a thyroid disorder
- kidney disease,
- diabetes; or
- lupus
Medroxyprogesterone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Medroxyprogesterone will not prevent heart disease, breast cancer, or dementia, and may actually increase the risk of developing these conditions in post-menopausal women. Medroxyprogesterone may also increase the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer in some women. Long-term treatment with estrogens and progestins (such as medroxyprogesterone) may also increase your risk of heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.
Talk to your doctor about your specific risks and benefits of taking this medication, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
This medication may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) especially when used over long periods of time. Bone loss may not be reversible. Do not use this medication for longer than 2 years. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of bone loss.
Medroxyprogesterone can cause birth defects. Do not use if this medication you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone, or if you have:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- breast cancer
- liver disease; or
- a history of a stroke or blood clot
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use medroxyprogesterone.
- congestive heart failure
- diabetes
- seizures or epilepsy; or
- a history of depression
Medroxyprogesterone passes into breast milk, but it is not known whether this could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Medroxy Progeste Rone Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
- chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate
- pain or swelling in one or both legs
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
- vaginal bleeding if you have already gone through menopause
- feeling like you might pass out
- a breast lump
- symptoms of depression (sleep problems, dizziness, mood changes, headache)
- fever
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Less serious side effects may include:
- spotting or breakthrough bleeding
- changes in your menstrual periods
- vaginal itching or discharge
- breast tenderness or discharge
- mild itching or skin rash
- increased acne, hair growth, loss of scalp hair
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- changes in appetite or weight,
- mild stomach pain, bloating, nausea; or
- skin color changes
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
- fever
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
- symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes)
Less serious side effects may include:
- changes in your menstrual periods
- headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling
- breast tenderness or discharge
- changes in weight or appetite
- mild stomach pain, bloating, nausea
- back pain or pelvic pain
- mild itching or skin rash
- increased acne, hair growth, loss of scalp hair
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- vaginal itching or discharge
- decreased sex drive; or
- skin color changes or a hard lump where the injection was given
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Medroxy Progeste Rone Interactions
What other drugs affect Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
There may be other drugs that can interact with medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Before using medroxyprogesterone, tell your doctor if you are also using aminoglutethimide (Cytadren).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Avoid smoking while you are taking this medication. Smoking greatly increases your risk of blood clots.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
This medication will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Medroxy Progeste Rone Dosage
How should I take Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Medroxyprogesterone is usually given for only a few days in a row each month. You may need to start taking the medication on a certain day of your menstrual cycle, depending on why you are taking medroxyprogesterone. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using medroxyprogesterone.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking medroxyprogesterone.
Store medroxyprogesterone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Medroxyprogesterone is given as an injection into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Medroxyprogesterone may be given once per week or once every 3 months, depending on why you are using the medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
You may have breakthrough bleeding while using medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using medroxyprogesterone.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication. Do not miss any appointments.
If you store this medication at home, keep it at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, breast tenderness, dizziness, drowsiness, or vaginal bleeding.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of medroxyprogesterone is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What happens if I miss a dose of Medroxy Progeste Rone?
Medroxyprogesterone (Oral)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Medroxyprogesterone (Injectable)
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of this medication.
Edited from everydayhealth.com