MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is a female hormone known as progestin (a form of progesterone) that regulates ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). It treats the absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) and abnormal uterine bleeding. Besides this, it also prevents endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining with the risk of cancer) and overgrowth in the lining of the uterus in postmenopausal women who are receiving estrogen hormone replacement therapy.
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE contains medroxyprogesterone. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE works by replacing the normal hormone medroxyprogesterone functions in the body and treating associated symptoms.
Your doctor will advise your dose and how often you need to take this medication based on your medical condition. You may sometimes have breast tenderness, swelling in other body parts, headaches, migraines, mood swings, depression, acne, tummy (abdominal) pain, back pain, and vaginal bleeding. Most of these side effects of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE may increase the risk of blood clots. Make sure that before taking this medicine, you inform your doctor if you have or have had breast cancer, unusual bleeding in the vagina, liver disease, or any other health problems. If you are taking any other medicine or are allergic to any medication, please inform your doctor. Avoid smoking and alcohol to prevent any kind of unpleasant side-effect. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE should not be used in heart disease or dementia patients because this medicine may increase your risk of developing these conditions.
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), Uterine bleeding, Endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of uterus)
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is a female hormone that regulates ovulation and menstruation in women. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE helps in initiating the menses cycle (periods) in women who have not yet reached menopause. Besides this, it prevents overgrowth of the uterus in postmenopausal women who take estrogen as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is used to prevent thickening of the uterine lining in postmenopausal women receiving estrogens who have not removed their uterus through surgery. It also helps treat amenorrhea (cessation or irregular menses cycle for more than three months). It is also given in combination with estrogens as part of menopausal replacement therapy. The injection form of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is prescribed for treating abnormal uterine bleeding along with irregular or ceased menstrual cycles. The intravaginal gel form of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE assists in reproductive technology for infertile women with progesterone deficiency or irregular or ceased menstrual cycle. The vaginal insert form of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE supports early pregnancy and implantation of an embryo in the uterus. Off-label use of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE helps in reducing the risk of preterm birth.
Headache
Breast pain
Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
Stomach/abdominal cramps
Bloating
Nausea
Vomiting
Hair loss
Fluid retention
Vaginal yeast infection
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE with estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE with estrogen may increase the chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. In some cases, using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE with estrogen may produce dementia among women aged 65 and older. Do not use MEDROXYPROGESTERONE if you are allergic to peanuts, have unusual vaginal bleeding, have had any cancer (breast or uterus cancer), or undergoing estrogen plus progestin treatment. Tell your doctor before using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE if you have had a heart attack, stroke, blood clot, liver problems, kidney problems, are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant, asthma (wheezing), epilepsy (seizures), diabetes, migraine, endometriosis, lupus, heart problems, thyroid, or have high calcium levels in your blood. Use caution while driving a motor vehicle, as dizziness or drowsiness may occur. Tell your doctor about this if you use MEDROXYPROGESTERONE before lab tests or biopsies, as it can affect the report values. Diagnostic tests of blood coagulation, thyroid, cholesterol, and glucose metabolism results might affect people using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE.
Drug-Drug Interactions: This medicine interacts with anticonvulsants (such as acetazolamide and carbamazepine), anti-infectives (metronidazole, clindamycin) and herbal preparation (like Ginkgo Biloba and St. John’s wort plant).
Drug-Food Interactions: MEDROXYPROGESTERONE may interact with grapefruit, Ginkgo biloba herbal supplements and St. John’s wort plant (used for anti-depression).
Drug-Disease Interactions: MEDROXYPROGESTERONE should not be given in the condition of abnormal genital bleeding, low level of bone minerals, breast cancer, liver disease, and thromboembolism (blood clot problem).
There is not enough scientific data available for MEDROXYPROGESTERONE interaction with alcohol; hence, it is best to consult a doctor.
Contact the doctor before using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE. Your doctor will decide whether MEDROXYPROGESTERONE should be given to the pregnant woman or not, depending on her condition.
Clinical evidence suggests that MEDROXYPROGESTERONE may pass into breast milk, but its risk is not established. So it is better to contact the doctor before using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE.
It is advised to drive with caution after taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE as it may interfere with driving capabilities. It can make you feel drowsy.
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
There is not enough scientific data available for MEDROXYPROGESTERONE interaction with the kidney; hence it is best to consult a doctor.
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Talk with your doctor regularly about whether you should continue taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE. The addition of a MEDROXYPROGESTERONE is generally recommended for women who have a chance of getting uterus cancer.
Tell your doctor if you get vaginal bleeding while taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE.
Try to have a yearly pelvic exam, breast exam and mammogram (breast X-ray) unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If your any family members have had breast cancer or breast lumps, or an abnormal mammogram. Your doctor may ask you to have breast exams more often.
Before using this medication, let your doctor know if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), diabetes, or obesity (BMI more than 25). If you use tobacco, you may have a higher chance of getting heart disease. Ask your doctor for ways to lower your chance of getting heart disease.
Female Infertility: When a woman is not able to become pregnant within a year of trying. If a woman gets pregnant but experiences miscarriages or stillbirths, it is also included in infertility.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): It is a treatment to relieve symptoms of menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach menopause.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): PMS is the name for the symptoms women can experience in the weeks before their period. Each woman's symptoms are different and can vary from month to month. The most common symptoms of PMS include mood swings, feeling upset, anxious or irritable, tiredness or trouble sleeping, bloating or tummy pain, breast tenderness, headaches, spotty skin or greasy hair, changes in appetite and sex drive, etc.
Endometriosis: It is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus. Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods (dysmenorrhea), pain with intercourse, pain with bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding infertility, etc.