Medroxyprogesterone
Description
Medroxyprogesterone is a type of female hormone with similar action to the naturally-occurring progesterone (a chemical substance produced by the ovaries in women, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle). It is used for the treatment of menstrual disorders such as heavy, irregular, and prolonged periods. This medicine works by correcting the hormonal imbalance in the body.
Medroxyprogesterone can also be used for other conditions not mentioned above and is available on prescription as a tablet and injection form.
Medroxyprogesterone shows side effects like headache, nausea, stomach pain, vaginal spotting, dizziness, and breast tenderness. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects worsen or persist for a long time.
Medroxyprogesterone can be taken with or without food. It is recommended that you take it at the same time every day. Your doctor will decide the dosage of this medicine based on the indication you are taking it for.
Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems, diabetes, or any other medical conditions. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. This medicine may not be safe for breastfeeding mothers; nevertheless, consult your doctor before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Medroxyprogesterone
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Hot flashes
- Joint pain
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Loss of vision or blurred vision
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- White vaginal discharge
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea and Vomiting
Uses of Medroxyprogesterone
What is it prescribed for?
- Endometriosis
- Amenorrhoea
- Menorrhagia
- Contraception
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for Medroxyprogesterone to show its action is clinically unknown.
- Duration of effectThe time for which Medroxyprogesterone remains active in the body is clinically unknown.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Medroxyprogesterone.
- Usage in pregnancy?Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use if you are pregnant, as it can cause hormonal changes and affect your pregnancy.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended during breastfeeding as it may affect your infant. Since this medicine is passed into breastmilk, your doctor may advise you to wait at least 6 weeks after your baby has been born before you start using this medicine. If you are a nursing mother, consult your doctor for a safer alternative.
Allergy
Avoid taking Medroxyprogesterone if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of serious allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Pregnancy
Medroxyprogesterone should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy as it may increase the risk of serious side effects on both mother and baby.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a condition in women where the cells grow abnormally and form a lump. Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended if you have breast cancer as it may worsen your condition.
Liver Disease
Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended if you have severe liver problems or liver tumours. The exact reason why this medicine causes liver injury is not known; however, it is believed that high doses or prolonged use of this medicine may increase your liver enzymes and can affect liver function. Thus, it may worsen your condition.
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use if you have an abnormal vaginal bleeding episode that has not been diagnosed by a doctor. If you have any menstrual abnormalities, consult your doctor first before taking this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use if you are pregnant, as it can cause hormonal changes and affect your pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Medroxyprogesterone is not recommended during breastfeeding as it may affect your infant. Since this medicine is passed into breastmilk, your doctor may advise you to wait at least 6 weeks after your baby has been born before you start using this medicine.
If you are a nursing mother, consult your doctor for a safer alternative.
General warnings
Other medicines
Medroxyprogesterone may potentially interact with a large number of other medicines that you might possibly consume. Hence, it is advised to report the use of all other medicines including supplements and herbs to your doctor.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which there is an increase in blood sugar levels. Medroxyprogesterone may interfere with your blood sugar control.
Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia is increased fat levels in your blood. Medroxyprogesterone should be used with extreme caution if you are diagnosed with hyperlipidemia as it may increase the fat deposits and worsen your condition.
Weight Gain
Medroxyprogesterone may lead to weight gain, especially when you take it for a long time.
Missed Dose
Oral form: Try not to skip the scheduled dose of Medroxyprogesterone. If it's time for the next dose, do not double the dose.
Injection: If an injection schedule is missed, inform your doctor immediately. Your doctor will give you further instructions about the changed dosing schedule.
Overdose
Oral forms: Reach the nearest emergency medical department immediately or contact the doctor in case of Medroxyprogesterone overdose.
Injections: Since Medroxyprogesterone is usually administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be provided if your doctor suspects an overdose of this medicine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Ketoconazole
Insulin
Protease inhibiors
Disease interactions
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, anger, and a loss of interest in all activities. Medroxyprogesterone should be used with caution if you are diagnosed with depression or other mental health conditions as it may cause hallucinations, aggressiveness, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and other behavioural changes.
Thromboembolism
Thromboembolism is a condition in which a blood clot gets dislodged from another location in the circulation and causes obstruction in the blood flow. Medroxyprogesterone when used in high doses, increases your risk for thromboembolism.
Retinal thrombosis
Retinal thrombosis is an eye condition where there is the formation of a blood clot in the vein. It is a painless condition that causes blurring of vision or loss of eyesight. This risk is especially high if you have a history of vision problems or have active vision problems while using Medroxyprogesterone.
Fluid Retention and oedema
Medroxyprogesterone can cause fluid retention and oedema(collection of fluid underneath your skin) especially when used for a long period.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder in which your bones become weak and fragile. Medroxyprogesterone can increase the risk of bone fractures, especially if you have osteoporosis.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Blood coagulation tests
Blood coagulation tests are done to check the function of certain proteins in your blood. These proteins help your blood to clot after injury. Inform your doctor about Medroxyprogesterone before going for this test as it may interfere with the test results.
Thyroid function tests
Thyroid function tests are blood tests done to measure the functioning of your thyroid gland. Medroxyprogesterone is known to give a false-positive result for thyroid function tests. Hence, inform the lab technician or doctor about its use.
Oral forms: Follow all the instructions advised by your physician while taking Medroxyprogesterone. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed.
Regular followups with the doctor during treatment with this medicine are necessary. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed.
Injection: Medroxyprogesterone should be given under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional to avoid side effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Medroxyprogesterone works by imitating the effect of progesterone (female hormone) in your body. It helps in regulating the growth and shedding of the uterine lining (which happens in the normal menstrual cycle), thereby treating irregular periods.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Contraceptives, Progestins, Hormones
Schedule
Schedule H
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Drugs, H., 2021. Medroxyprogesterone: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 26 March 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Provera 10 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 March 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 March 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Medroxyprogesterone. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 March 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE injection, suspension. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 March 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Mar 2023
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