This medication may cause serious bone loss. The risk of bone loss increases with longer use of this medication. This bone loss may be permanent even after you stop using medroxyprogesterone injection. This medication should not be used for longer than 2 years unless other birth control methods do not provide adequate protection.

The years of adolescence and early adulthood are important for your body to build healthy bones. Use of this medication may reduce bone mass and may increase the risk of broken bones when you are older. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of this medication and other birth control choices. Keep all your appointments so your doctor can regularly test your bone density while you are using this medication. Be sure to get enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine if you need calcium/vitamin D supplements to help keep your bones healthy.

Use of this medication does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea). Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medication is used to prevent pregnancy. It provides birth control by stopping the body from making certain hormones, preventing the growth and release of a mature egg (ovulation), and changing the womb to make it more difficult for the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the womb.

Medroxyprogesterone is also used for the treatment of endometriosis. It works by lowering the amount of certain hormones in the body and decreasing the growth of abnormal tissues that causes endometriosis, thereby reducing pain.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. You will be trained by a health care professional on how to properly use this medication. Learn and understand all preparation and usage instructions. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by injection under the skin once every 3 months. Before starting this medication, you must have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Follow your doctor's instructions for the safe use of this medication.

Give your first injection within the first 5 days after starting a menstrual period or 6 weeks after delivery of your baby if you are breast-feeding. Follow your doctor's exact instructions if you are switching from another birth control method. Repeat the same dose every 12 to 14 weeks. It is important that you get your injection at the scheduled time for this medication to work best and help prevent you from getting pregnant. Be sure the medication is at room temperature before use. Shake the syringe well for at least 1 minute to mix the medication.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. It is important to change the location of the injection site to avoid problem areas under the skin.

Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

Irregular menstrual bleeding, headache, weight gain, swelling, acne, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, bloating, hot flashes, breast tenderness, changes in appetite, or irritation/pain at injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression), changes in sexual interest/ability, prolonged/complete stopping of menstrual bleeding.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: bone pain, unusual breast discharge, severe/persistent vaginal bleeding, unusual weakness/tiredness, fainting, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal pain, yellowing skin/eyes, seizures.

This drug may rarely cause blood clots. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: sudden/severe headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden vision changes, numbness in arms/legs, slurred speech, pain in the calf muscles with redness/warmth/swelling.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using medroxyprogesterone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have any of the following conditions: abnormal/unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, cancer of the reproductive organs (e.g., cervix, uterus), current problem with blood clots, past history of stroke or blood clots, severe liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, lumps in the breast, family history of breast cancer, daily use of alcohol/tobacco, depression, diabetes, eye disease, heart disease (e.g., heart failure, high blood pressure), kidney/liver disease, high cholesterol, migraine, personal or family history of bone disease (e.g., osteoporosis), seizures.

This medication may cause a delay in your ability to get pregnant after you stop using this medication. Consult your doctor for more information.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: warfarin.

If you are using this medication for birth control, certain drugs can decrease the effectiveness of this medication. This can result in pregnancy. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Medications that may cause this effect include: drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove this medication from your body such as certain anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates), rifamycins including rifampin, aminoglutethimide, acitretin, bosentan, griseofulvin, St John's wort, certain HIV medications (e.g., nevirapine).

Ask your doctor if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above and also using medroxyprogesterone.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain hormone levels, liver function tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you are using this medication.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

A physical examination including blood pressure, breast/pelvic examination, and a Pap smear will be done before you start this medication. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver and kidney function tests, blood count, bone density test, periodic breast/pelvic examination, monthly self-examination of the breast) should also be performed to check for side effects.

Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol may help reduce side effects from this medication. It is important to keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments so your doctor can closely monitor your response to help lower the risk of serious side effects. Consult your doctor for more information.

It is important to use each dose as scheduled. If you miss a dose and more than 14 weeks has passed between injections, consult your doctor immediately for instructions. You will need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before getting another injection. Other birth control methods (e.g., contraceptive sponge, diaphragm, condom) must be used to protect you from getting pregnant until you can get the next injection.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.