Medroxyprogesterone

Please note: these are basic guidelines, refer to your doctor for a professional medical opinion.

Popular brand names:

[injection] Depo-Provera, Petogen

[tablets] Provera

Popular combinations:

[tablets] Premelle

Drug group:

Female sex hormone

Prescription needed?

Yes

What does it do?

Medroxyprogesterone is a progestogen and can be used to treat a variety of conditions:

• Used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - for women who have a uterus and need to take progesterone with their long-term oestrogen
• Can be helpful in treating endometriosis - a condition in which there is abnormal growth of uterine tissue in the pelvic cavity causing pain in the lower abdomen
• Depot injections are used for contraception - can cause persistent bleeding from the uterus or amenorrhoea, and prolonged infertility
• Sometimes used to treat certain cancers (breast/uterus/kidney)

How should it be used?

• Tablets should be taken with plenty of water
• You may need to take it at specific times during your cycle, follow your doctor’s instructions

What is the typical dosage?

Your doctor will recommend a dosage tailored to your need, but typically:

• Tablets: Menstrual disorders 5–10mg dly; Endometriosis 30mg dly; Cancer 100–1500mg dly
• Depot/intramuscular injection: 150mg every 3 months

How quickly will it start to work?

Cancer 1–2 months; other conditions 1–2 weeks  
                             

How long will the effects last?

Tablets 1–2 days; depot injection a few months 
                      

When should I stop using it?

Do not stop the drug without consulting your doctor

Is it safe for prolonged use?

Long term use of medroxyprogesterone may lead to:

• Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting between periods
• A slightly increased risk of venous thrombosis in the legs, osteoporosis, and bone fractures

You will need regular blood pressure checks, and yearly pap smears/breast examinations.    

What are the possible side effects?

Medroxyprogesterone rarely causes serious side effects. The following have been reported:

• More common: fluid retention (and weight gain), swollen ankles/feet, breast tenderness
• Less common: severe nausea, fatigue, depression, irregular menstruation, acne
• Report to your doctor before taking your next dose if you experience: rash, itching, jaundice

What other considerations are important?

Dosage may be adjusted by your doctor under certain conditions.

• Certain health problems: liver/kidney problems, high blood pressure, previous venous thrombosis or heart attack or stroke, porphyria, epilepsy, previous/current depression
• Other medicines: ciclosporin, anticoagulants, rifamycin antibiotics, St John’s wort, anti-epileptics, griseofulvin, terbinafine, barbiturates
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not prescribed in pregnancy, harmful to foetus
• Children: Not usually prescribed
• Over 60: No special problems
• Driving and hazardous work: No known problems
• Alcohol: No known problems