What is this medication for?
Medroxyprogesterone acetate belongs to the class of medication known as progestogens. Progesterones are female hormones that help to regulate the menstrual cycle during a woman's childbearing years. It is used for the prevention of pregnancy when regular birth control pills do not provide adequate protection.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Depo-Provera® is available as:
- injectable
- 150 mg per mL
- 400 mg per mL
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Birth control: The usual dose is 150 mg injected subcutaneously (into a muscle) by a health care professional every 3 months.Women may also learn to self-inject this medication. Treatment with this medication usually starts within the first 5 days after the onset of a normal menstrual period or within the first 5 days after delivery if not breast-feeding or within 6 weeks after delivery if breast-feeding. Intervals between injections must not exceed 13 weeks. If an injection is not received within 13 weeks, a pregnancy test should be done before any further treatment with medroxyprogesterone. This medication is usually given as an injection every 3 to 4 months.
Endometriosis: This medication is given as an injection (into the muscle or under the skin) once every 3 to 4 months by the doctor.
For use as a contraceptive or for endometriosis, if the injection is given within the first 5 days after the onset of a normal menstrual period, it is effective from the day of injection. However, if it is given later during the menstrual cycle, it may not be effective for the first 3 to 4 weeks after the injection. A non-hormonal "back up" method of birth control, such as latex condoms with spermicidal foam or jelly, should be used during this time. Treatment with this medication for longer than 2 years is not recommended.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This preparation is not to be used intravenously (injected into a vein).
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Medroxyprogesterone acetate should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to medroxyprogesterone or to any of the other ingredients of the medication
- is or might be pregnant
- has or has had a history of a clotting disorder such as stroke, clot in the leg
- has or has had breast cancer
- has impaired liver function or liver disease
- has undiagnosed vaginal bleeding