5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

Brand Name: DepoProvera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104, MPA,

Provera

Generic Name: Medroxyprogesterone

Drug Class: Antineoplastics, Hormones; Progestins

WHAT IS MEDROXYPROGESTERONE AND HOW

DOES IT WORK?

Medroxyprogesterone is a prescription drug indicated for the

treatment of secondary amenorrheaand abnormal uterine
bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence
of organic pathology, such as fibroids or uterine cancer.
Medroxyprogesterone is also indicated for use in the prevention
of endometrial hyperplasia in
nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women who are receiving
daily oral conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg tablets.

Medroxyprogesterone is available under the following different

brand names: DepoProvera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104, MPA,
and Provera.

Dosages of Medroxyprogesterone:

Tablet

2.5 mg
5 mg
10 mg

Injectable suspension

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

150 mg/ml
400 mg/ml

Prefilled syringe suspension

104 mg/0.65 ml

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Adult dosing only. Safety and efficacy not established

for pediatric dosages.

Amenorrhea, Uterine Bleeding

Uterine bleeding: 5-10 mg/day orally for 5-10 days;

beginning day 16 or 21 of the menstrual cycle; withdrawal
bleeding may be expected within 3 to 7 days after
discontinuing medroxyprogesterone
Amenorrhea, secondary: 5-10 mg/day orally for 5-10 days;
may be started at any time; withdrawal bleeding may be
expected within 3-7 days after discontinuing
medroxyprogesterone

Contraception

150 mg deep intramuscular or 104 mg subcutaneously

every 3 months

Endometriosis

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

150 mg deep intramuscular or 104 mg subcutaneously

every 3 months

Dosing considerations

Give initial injection during first 5 days

of menstrual cycle to avoid inadvertent
administration to pregnant woman
If patient is nursing, give initial injection no earlier
than 6 weeks post-partum

Paraphilla

100-600 mg intramuscular weekly; alternatively, 100-500 mg

orally daily; maintenance 100 mg intramuscularly every 1-4
weeks

QUESTION

Which of the
following are
methods for
contraception?

See Answer

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH

USING MEDROXYPROGESTERONE?

Common side effects of medroxyprogesterone include:

absence of menstruation
breakthrough bleeding
change in menstrual flow
spotting
swelling
loss of appetite
weakness
pain at injection site
rapid swelling
depression
dizziness
headache
nervousness
excessive production of breast milk
abdominal pain
nausea
vomiting
obstructive liver disease

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

blot clots formed by inflammation
breast tenderness
blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
sleepiness
mental depression
insomnia
hives
itching
swelling
rash
acne
hair loss
male-pattern hair growth
blood clot in the eye
inflammation of the optic nerve
weight gain
weight loss
menstrual cramps/pelvic pain
uterine fibroids
inflammation of the vagina
yeast infection
cervical eversion
ovarian cancer
thickening of the lining of the uterus

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

uterine cancer
nipple discharge
fibrocystic breast changes
breast cancer
heart attack (myocardial infarction)
stroke
increase in blood pressure
pancreatitis
enlargement of noncancerous tumors in
the liver (hepatic hemangiomas)
skin changes during pregnancy/mask of pregnancy
hypersensitivity with skin eruptions (erythema multiforme)
acute eruptions on the legs
bleeding eruption
intolerance to contact lenses
migraine
dizziness
abnormal involuntary movement
nervousness
mood disturbances
irritability
exacerbation of epilepsy
dementia
porphyria (abdominal pain, chest pain, vomiting,
confusion, constipation, fever and seizures)
joint pain

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5/17/2021 Medroxyprogesterone: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings

leg cramps
changes in libido
severe allergic reaction (anaphylactoid/anaphylactic
reaction)
low blood calcium levels
exacerbation of asthma
increased triglycerides

Postmarkeing reports of medroxyprogresterone:

Rash (allergic) with and without itching, change in weight

(increase or decrease), fever, swelling/fluid
retention, fatigue, decreased glucose tolerance
Increase or decrease in weight;
reduced carbohydrate tolerance; aggravation of porphyria
(abdominal pain, chest pain, vomiting, confusion,
constipation, fever and seizures); swelling; joint pain; leg
cramps; changes in sex drive (libido); hives, rapid swelling,
acute allergic reaction (anaphylactoid/anaphylactic
reactions); low blood calcium levels; exacerbation of
asthma; increased triglycerides
Injection site reaction, injection site pain/tenderness,
injection site persistent atrophy/indentation/dimpling,
abnormal adipose tissue (lipodystrophy) acquired, injection
site nodules/lumps

This document does not contain all possible side effects and
others may occur. Check with your physician for additional
information about side effects.

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