Rx only
Fact box
- Therapeutic class
- Progestogens
- Action class
- Progestin
- Chemical class
- Progesterone Congeners
- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Prescription (Rx)
Brand names
Depo-ProveraProveradepo-subQ provera
Available as
10 MG · Oral Tablet1 ML · Injection400 MG/ML2.5 MG · Oral Tablet5 MG · Oral Tablet10 MG/ML1 ML · Prefilled Syringe0.65 ML · Prefilled Syringe2 MG · Oral Tablet0.3 MG · Oral Tablet0.45 MG · Oral Tablet0.625 MG · Oral Tablet100 MG · Oral Tablet160 MG/ML200 MG · Oral Tablet200 MG/ML250 MG · Oral Tablet400 MG · Oral Tablet500 MG · Oral Tablet
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
⚠ Boxed warningWARNING: LOSS OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY Women who use medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . It is unknown if use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension during adolescence or early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion, will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for osteoporotic fracture in later life [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not recommended as a long-term (i.e., longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate [see Indications and Usage (1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . WARNING: LOSS OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . Women who use medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible. (5.1) It is unknown if use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension during adolescence or early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion, will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for osteoporotic fracture in later life. (5.1) Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not recommended as a long-term (i.e., longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate. (1, 5.1)
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. Limitations of Use: The use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not recommended as a long-term (i.e., longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a progestin indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. (1) Limitations of Use: The use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not recommended as a long-term (i.e., longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate. (1, 5.1)
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) injectable suspension, inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins which primarily prevents follicular maturation and ovulation and causes thickening of cervical mucus. These actions contribute to its contraceptive effect.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose is 150 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension every 3 months (13 weeks) administered by deep, intramuscular (IM) injection in the gluteal or deltoid muscle. (2.1) 2.1 Prevention of Pregnancy The 1 mL prefilled syringe of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension should be vigorously shaken just before use to ensure that the dose being administered represents a uniform suspension. The recommended dose is 150 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension every 3 months (13 weeks) administered by deep intramuscular (IM) injection using strict aseptic technique in the gluteal or deltoid muscle, rotating the sites with every injection. As with any IM injection, to avoid an inadvertent subcutaneous injection, body habitus should be assessed prior to each injection to determine if a longer needle is necessary particularly for gluteal IM injection. Use for longer than 2 years is not recommended (unless other birth control methods are considered inadequate) due to the impact of long-term medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Dosage does not need to be adjusted for body weight [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . To ensure the patient is not pregnant at the time of the first injection, the first injection should be given ONLY during the first 5 days of a normal menstrual period; ONLY within the first 5-days postpartum if not breast-feeding; and if exclusively breast-feeding, ONLY at the sixth postpartum week. If the time interval between injections is greater than 13 weeks, the physician should determine that the patient is not pregnant before administering the drug. The efficacy of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension depends on adherence to the dosage schedule of administration. 2.2 Switching From Other Methods of Contraception When switching from other contraceptive methods, medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension should be given in a manner that ensures continuous contraceptive coverage based upon the mechanism of action of both methods, (e.g., patients switching from oral contraceptives should have their first injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension on the day after the last active tablet or at the latest, on the day following the final inactive tablet).
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions observed with the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension are discussed in greater detail in the Warnings and Precautions section ( 5 ): Loss of Bone Mineral Density [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Thromboembolic disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Breast Cancer [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactoid Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ] Bleeding Irregularities [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 10) ] Weight Gain [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 11) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) are: menstrual irregularities (bleeding or spotting) 57% at 12 months, 32% at 24 months, abdominal pain/discomfort 11%, weight gain > 10 lbs at 24 months 38%, dizziness 6%, headache 17%, nervousness 11%, decreased libido 6%. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-818-4555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the two clinical trials with medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension, over 3,900 women, who were treated for up to 7 years, reported the following adverse reactions, which may or may not be related to the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. The population studied ranges in age from 15 to 51 years, of which 46% were White, 50% Non-White, and 4.9% Unknown race. The patients received 150 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension every 3-months (90 days). The median study duration was 13 months with a range of 1 to 84 months. Fifty eight percent of patients remained in the study after 13 months and 34% after 24 months. Table 1 Adverse Reactions that Were Reported by More than 5% of Subjects Body System* Adverse Reactions [Incidence (%)] Body as a Whole Headache (16.5%) Abdominal pain/discomfort (11.2%) Metabolic/Nutritional Increased weight> 10lbs at 24 months (37.7%) Nervous Nervousness (10.8%) Dizziness (5.6%) Libido decreased (5.5%) Urogenital Menstrual irregularities: (bleeding (57.3% at 12 months, 32.1% at 24 months) amenorrhea (55% at 12 months, 68% at 24 months) * Body System represented from COSTART medical dictionary. Table 2 Adverse Reactions that Were Reported by between 1 and 5% of Subjects Body System* Adverse Reactions [Incidence (%)] Body as a Whole Asthenia/fatigue (4.2%) Backache (2.2%) Dysmenorrhea (1.7%) Hot flashes (1.0%) Digestive Nausea (3.3%) Bloating (2.3%) Metabolic/Nutritional Edema (2.2%) Musculoskeletal Leg cramps (3.7%) Arthralgia (1.0%) Nervous Depression (1.5%) Insomnia (1.0%) Skin and Appendages Acne (1.2%) No hair growth/alopecia (1.1%) Rash (1.1%) Urogenital Leukorrhea (2.9%) Breast pain (2.8%) Vaginitis (1.2%) * Body System represented from COSTART medical dictionary. Adverse reactions leading to study discontinuation in ≥ 2% of subjects: bleeding (8.2%), amenorrhea (2.1%), weight gain (2.0%) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. There have been cases of osteoporosis including osteoporotic fractures reported post-marketing in patients taking medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. Table 3 Adverse Reactions Reported during Post-Marketing Experience Body System Body System represented from COSTART medical dictionary. Adverse Reactions Body as a Whole Chest pain, Allergic reactions including angioedema, Fever, Injecti
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyCaution
8.1 Pregnancy Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension should not be administered during pregnancy. [ See Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 7).]
BreastfeedingCaution
8.3 Nursing Mothers Detectable amounts of drug have been identified in the milk of mothers receiving medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. [ See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 3) .]
AlcoholCaution
…risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., metabolic bone disease, chronic alcohol and/or tobacco use, anorexia nervosa, strong family history of osteoporosis or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass such as anticonvulsants or corticosteroids).…
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyCaution
…8.6 Renal Impairment The effect of renal impairment on medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension pharmacokinetics has not been studied.…
LiverCaution
…8.7 Hepatic Impairment The effect of hepatic impairment on medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension pharmacokinetics has not been studied.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Thromboembolic Disorders: Discontinue medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension in patients who develop thrombosis. ( 5.2 ) Cancer Risks: Monitor women with a strong family history of breast cancer carefully. ( 5.3 ) Ectopic Pregnancy: Consider ectopic pregnancy if a woman using medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension becomes pregnant or complains of severe abdominal pain. ( 5.4 ) Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactoid Reactions: Provide emergency medical treatment. ( 5.5 ) Liver Function: Discontinue medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension if jaundice or disturbances of liver function develop. ( 5. 7) Carbohydrate Metabolism: Monitor diabetic patients carefully. ( 5.1 2) 5.1 Loss of Bone Mineral Density Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension reduces serum estrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of bone mineral density (BMD). This loss of BMD is of particular concern during adolescence and early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion. It is unknown if use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension by younger women will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for osteoporotic fracture in later life. A study to assess the reversibility of loss of BMD in adolescents was conducted with medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. After discontinuing medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension in these adolescents, mean BMD loss at the total hip and femoral neck did not fully recover by 5 years (60 months) post-treatment in the sub-group of adolescents who were treated for more than 2 years [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. Similarly, in adults, there was only partial recovery of mean BMD at the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine towards baseline by 2 years post-treatment [See Clinical Studies (14.2)]. The use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not recommended as a long-term (i.e., longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate. BMD should be evaluated when a woman needs to continue to use medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension long-term. In adolescents, interpretation of BMD results should take into account patient age and skeletal maturity. Other birth control methods should be considered in the risk/benefit analysis for the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension in women with osteoporosis risk factors. Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension can pose an additional risk in patients with risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., metabolic bone disease, chronic alcohol and/or tobacco use, anorexia nervosa, strong family history of osteoporosis or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass such as anticonvulsants or corticosteroids). 5.2 Thromboembolic Disorders There have been reports of serious thrombotic events in women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension (150 mg). However, medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension has not been causally associated with the induction of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders. Any patient who develops thrombosis while undergoing therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension should discontinue treatment unless she has no other acceptable options for birth control. Do not re-administer medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision or if there is a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. Do not re-administer if examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions. 5.3 Cancer Risks Breast Cancer Women who have or have had a history of breast cancer should not use hormonal contraceptives, including medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension, because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should be monitored with particular care. The results of five large cas
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is contraindicated in the following conditions: Known or suspected pregnancy or as a diagnostic test for pregnancy. Active thrombophlebitis, or current or past history of thromboembolic disorders, or cerebral vascular disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Known or suspected malignancy of breast [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ]. Known hypersensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension or any of its other ingredients [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. Significant liver disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 7) ]. Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 10) ]. Known or suspected pregnancy or as a diagnostic test for pregnancy. ( 4 ) Active thrombophlebitis, or current or past history of thromboembolic disorders, or cerebral vascular disease. ( 4 ) Known or suspected malignancy of breast. ( 4 ) Known hypersensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension or any of its other ingredients. ( 4 ) Significant liver disease. ( 4 ) Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. ( 4 )
Pediatric use
8.4 Pediatric Use Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is not indicated before menarche. Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is associated with significant loss of BMD. This loss of BMD is of particular concern during adolescence and early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion. In adolescents, interpretation of BMD results should take into account patient age and skeletal maturity. It is unknown if use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension by younger women will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures in later life. Other than concerns about loss of BMD, the safety and effectiveness are expected to be the same for postmenarchal adolescents and adult women.
⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.
Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease the effectiveness of contraceptive drug products. Counsel patients to use a back-up method or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Changes in Contraceptive Effectiveness Associated With Co-Administration of Other Products If a woman on hormonal contraceptives takes a drug or herbal product that induces enzymes, including CYP3A4, that metabolize contraceptive hormones, counsel her to use additional contraception or a different method of contraception. Drugs or herbal products that induce such enzymes may decrease the plasma concentrations of contraceptive hormones, and may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives include: barbiturates bosentan carbamazepine felbamate griseofulvin oxcarbazepine phenytoin rifampin St. John’s wort topiramate HIV protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors : Significant changes (increase or decrease) in the plasma levels of progestin have been noted in some cases of coadministration of HIV protease inhibitors. Significant changes (increase or decrease) in the plasma levels of the progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Antibiotics : There have been reports of pregnancy while taking hormonal contraceptives and antibiotics, but clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not shown consistent effects of antibiotics on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids. Consult the labeling of all concurrently used drugs to obtain further information about interactions with hormonal contraceptives or the potential for enzyme alterations. 7.2 Laboratory Test Interactions The pathologist should be advised of progestin therapy when relevant specimens are submitted. The following laboratory tests may be affected by progestins including medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension: (a) Plasma and urinary steroid levels are decreased (e.g., progesterone, estradiol, pregnanediol, testosterone, cortisol). (b) Gonadotropin levels are decreased. (c) Sex-hormone-binding-globulin concentrations are decreased. (d) Protein-bound iodine and butanol extractable protein-bound iodine may increase. T3-uptake values may decrease. (e) Coagulation test values for prothrombin (Factor II), and Factors VII, VIII, IX, and X may increase. (f) Sulfobromophthalein and other liver function test values may be increased. (g) The effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on lipid metabolism are inconsistent. Both increases and decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have been observed in studies.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
28 marketed products on record (RxNorm)
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.