Depo-Provera

What side effects are possible with this medication?

A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.

abdominal pain or cramping acne anxiety back pain breast pain or tenderness decreased sexual desire depression diarrhea dizziness fatigue or weakness headache hot flushes

leg cramps loss of body, facial, or scalp hair menstrual irregularities (changes in menstrual bleeding or missed period) nausea nervousness pain or irritation at place of injection pelvic pain skin rash swelling of face, ankles, or feet trouble sleeping weight changes

Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Bone loss: Clinical studies have shown that long-term use of medroxyprogesterone injection causes bone loss in adolescent and adult women. The amount of bone lost depends on how long the woman uses this medication. This bone loss may not be completely reversible. You should discuss these risks with your doctor.

Diabetes: Reduction in blood glucose control has been observed in some women receiving medroxyprogesterone. For this reason, women with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood glucose while receiving medroxyprogesterone.

Depression: People who have been treated for depression in the past should be closely monitored by their doctor while using this medication.

Early adulthood and adolescence: Medroxyprogesterone causes bone loss, and should be used with caution by adolescent women whose bones are still forming and have not yet reached their peak bone mass. It is not known if this will influence peak bone mass and increase the risk of osteoporosis in the future. If you are considering using this medication, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Eye disorders: This medication may affect your vision or cause change in your eyes. If you experience any symptoms such as blurred or double vision, migraine, or eye pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Fertility: There is no evidence that medroxyprogesterone causes infertility. A large study of return of fertility shows that women on average conceived 9 months after the last injection, or 5.5 months after discontinuing the medication (discontinuance is assumed to be 15 weeks after the last injection). The number of users who had conceived within 2 years of discontinuing their method of contraception was comparable: 92% of medroxyprogesterone users had conceived within 2 years after discontinuing use, compared with 93% for users of the IUD and 95% for users of birth control pills.

Fluid retention: Since progestogens may cause some degree of fluid retention, conditions that might be influenced by this (such as epilepsy, migraine, asthma, or reduced heart or kidney function) should be monitored carefully.

Irregular menstrual patterns: Menstrual patterns commonly change following the use of medroxyprogesterone. This includes irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting, or rarely, heavy or continuous bleeding. Consult your doctor if undiagnosed vaginal bleeding occurs, or if abnormal bleeding persists or is severe.

As women continue to use medroxyprogesterone, fewer experience irregular bleeding patterns and more do not menstruate at all. By month 12, about 55% of women no longer have periods, and by month 24, about 68% of women using medroxyprogesterone do not have periods. Because of the prolonged effect of the medication, reestablishment of menstruation may be delayed and difficult to predict.

Laboratory tests: Women who are taking this medication should discuss with their doctor how it may affect their results for certain laboratory tests.

Liver problems: Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of liver damage, including yellow skin or eyes; abdominal pain; dark urine; clay-colored stools; loss of appetite; or nausea and vomiting.

Weight changes: Weight gain may be associated with the use of medroxyprogesterone. The majority of studies report an average weight gain of 2.5 kg at the end of one year, but only 2% of women stopped treatment due to excessive weight gain.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used by pregnant women. Women who are using Depo-Subq Provera 104™ may be at increased risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus). To help ensure a woman is not pregnant at the time of the first injection, it is recommended that the first injection be given only within the first 5 days of the onset of a normal menstrual period, or only within the first 5 days after childbirth if the mother is not breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between medroxyprogesterone acetate and any of the following:

• aminoglutethimide

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.