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Medroxyprogesterone

 
Drug Info: Medroxyprogesterone

Brand names: Amen®Depo-Provera®Depo-Provera® CIDepo-subQ Provera 104™Prodroxy™Provera®

Chemical formula:



Medroxyprogesterone tablets

What are medroxyprogesterone tablets?

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE (Provera®) helps to treat an irregular menstrual cycle, lack of menstrual periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding caused by a hormonal imbalance. Medroxyprogesterone acts like the natural hormone progesterone. Natural progesterone is essential to normal reproductive functioning of the womb and reproductive system. Generic medroxyprogesterone tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• asthma
• blood vessel disease, blood clotting disorder, or suffered a stroke
• breast cancer
• heart, kidney or liver disease
• high blood lipids or cholesterol
• mental depression
• migraine
• seizures (convulsions)
• vaginal bleeding
• an unusual or allergic reaction to medroxyprogesterone, other hormones, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take medroxyprogesterone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Bleeding generally begins in 3 to 7 days after completing the drug treatment.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with medroxyprogesterone?

• antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin
• barbiturate medicines such as phenobarbital, may be used to induce sleep or to treat seizures
bosentan
bromocriptine
• medications for treating seizures (convulsions) such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or primidone
modafinil
• St. John's wort

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking medroxyprogesterone?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You should have a complete check-up every 6 to 12 months. Stop taking medroxyprogesterone at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional if you think you are pregnant.

The effect of medroxyprogesterone on fertility can last for a long time. If you want to get pregnant when you have stopped taking this medicine it may be some time before you can conceive.

Progestins can cause swelling, tenderness, or bleeding of the gums; be careful when brushing and flossing teeth. See your dentist regularly for routine dental care

What side effects may I notice from taking medroxyprogesterone?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• breast tenderness or discharge
• numbness or pain in the arm or leg
• pain in the chest, groin or leg
• severe headache
• stomach pain
• sudden shortness of breath
• unusual weakness or tiredness
• vision or speech problems
• yellowing of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• changes in sexual desire or ability
• changes in vaginal bleeding
• facial hair growth
• fluid retention and swelling
• headache
• increased sweating or hot flashes
• loss of appetite or increase in appetite
• mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts
• skin rash
• stomach discomfort
• weight gain or weight loss
• vaginal yeast infection (irritation and white discharge)

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 11/1/2004 2:02:00 PM

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

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Wikipedia: Medroxyprogesterone
Top
Medroxyprogesterone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
17-acetyl-17-hydroxy- 6,10,13-trimethyl- 1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17- tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a] phenanthren-3-one
Identifiers
CAS number 520-85-4
ATC code G03AC06 G03DA02, L02AB02
PubChem 10631
DrugBank APRD00627
Chemical data
Formula C22H32O3 
Mol. mass 344.488 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Protein binding 90%
Metabolism  ?
Half life 40-60 hours
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

?

Legal status
Routes  ?

Medroxyprogesterone is a progestin, and is commonly a component of hormonal contraceptives.

Contents

Uses and side effects

It can be used in the treatment of endometriosis, abnormal menstrual bleeding or amenorrhea.[1][2]

Possible side effects include weight gain, depression, and irregular menses or amenorrhea.

There is some evidence of an effect on breast cancer cells.[3]

Risk reduction

Progestins lower the risk of estrogen-related cancer of the uterus. This medicine used in combination with estrogen (hormone replacement therapy - HRT) should not be used to prevent heart disease. Two drug combination HRT (estrogen and progestin menopause) can infrequently cause cancer of the breast, heart disease (e.g., heart attack), stroke, dementia, or blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism) or leg. Estrogens may also increase the risk of cancer of the ovary. These risks appear to depend on the length of time this combination is used and the amount of estrogen per dose. Therefore, two-drug HRT should be used for the shortest possible length of time at the lowest effective dose, so you obtain the benefits and minimize the chance of serious side effects from long-term treatment. If you use this drug for an extended period, you should be evaluated at least once a year.

You should not use this medicine during the first 4 months of pregnancy because birth defects may occur. This medicine has not been proven to prevent natural abortions that occur early in the pregnancy. Often, the cause of an early natural abortion is due to a defective female egg. Using this drug does not fix a defective egg and may get in the way of expelling it.

Other uses

In males, medroxy-progesterone reduces the production of testosterone by the testes and the adrenal glands, which in some males (not all) reduces sex drive. Several U.S. states mandate use of medroxy-progesterone acetate, or MPA, for "chemical castration" of convicted rapists and sex offenders. (See Medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment.)

It has also been used to control inappropiate sexual behavior of men with dementia.[4]

References

See also



 
 

 

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Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Medroxyprogesterone" Read more