medroxyprogesterone SubQ

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.

How to use medroxyprogesterone SubQ
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill.
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.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
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 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.

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 right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression), changes in sexual interest/ability, prolonged/complete stopping of menstrual bleeding, 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. Get medical help right away 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 get medical help right away 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 product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
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.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: warfarin.
Some drugs may cause hormonal birth control to work less well by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your body. This effect can result in pregnancy. Examples include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John\'s wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), among others.
Tell your doctor when you start any new drug, and discuss if you should use additional reliable birth control. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.
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.

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.

NOTES:
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.

MISSED DOSE:
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.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not refrigerate. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not reuse single-use syringes. Discard any unused portion. Keep all medications 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.
Information last revised May 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.