What is estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Estradiol and medroxyprogesterone contains a combination of female hormones that
prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in
your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder
for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Estradiol and medroxyprogesterone is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Estradiol and medroxyprogesterone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not use if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual
periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before using birth control
injections (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding).
Do not use this medication if you have:
-
a history of a stroke or blood clot;
-
circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);
-
a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;
-
abnormal vaginal bleeding;
-
liver disease or liver cancer;
-
severe high blood pressure;
-
severe migraine headaches;
-
a heart valve disorder; or
-
a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the
following conditions. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take birth
control hormones.
-
high blood pressure, heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina
(chest pain), or a history of heart attack;
-
high cholesterol or if you are overweight;
-
kidney disease;
-
a history of depression;
-
gallbladder disease;
-
diabetes;
-
seizures or epilepsy;
-
a history of irregular menstrual cycles; or
-
a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an
abnormal mammogram.
The hormones in this medication can pass into breast milk and
may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
This medication is given as an injection into a muscle in your upper arm, thigh, or
buttocks. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting. Before
receiving your first injection, tell your doctor about all other forms of birth control you have used
within the past 7 days.
The first injection of this medication is given during the first 5 days of a normal menstrual
period, or within 5 days after undergoing a complete first-trimester abortion.
After your first injection, you will need to receive monthly injections every 28 to 30 days
to assure prevention of pregnancy. Do not allow more than 33 days to pass between injections,
even if your menstrual period has started later than expected.
Tell your doctor if your period has not started by the time you are due for your
monthly injection.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you
may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you
should know that you are using birth control injections.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication.
Do not miss any appointments.
What happens if I miss a dose of estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Missing a monthly injection increases your risk of becoming pregnant. Call your doctor
for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection.
Where can I get more information about estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Your pharmacist has information about estradiol and medroxyprogesterone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
-
sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes,
problems with vision, speech, or balance;
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
-
a breast lump;
-
symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood
changes); or
-
ongoing pain, bleeding, or other drainage where the shot
was given.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
-
breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;
-
freckles or darkening of facial skin;
-
increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
-
changes in weight or appetite;
-
problems with contact lenses;
-
vaginal itching or discharge;
-
changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
-
headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What is the most important information I should know about estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Do not use birth control injections if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a
baby.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of
stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a hormone-related
cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer,
severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice
caused by birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you
first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Using hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack,
especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Some drugs can make birth control injections less effective, which may result in
pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use,
including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Do not smoke while using birth control injections, especially if you are older than 35.
Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control
pills.
Birth control injections
will not
protect you from sexually transmitted
diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from
these diseases.
What other drugs will affect estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
Some drugs can make birth control hormones less effective, which may result in
pregnancy. Before using birth control pills, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
drugs:
-
phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
-
prednisolone (Orapred);
-
theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur);
-
aminoglutethamide (Cytadren);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
St. John's wort;
-
antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin
(Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG),
minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin
(Mycobutin), tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet), and others;
-
seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin),
carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate
(Topamax), or primidone (Mysoline);
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton); or
-
HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir
(Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir
(Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with estradiol and medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of estradiol and medroxyprogesterone?
