medroxyprogesterone

This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as uterine cancer). Medroxyprogesterone is like a natural hormone called progesterone made by the body. It is usually used with or after other treatments (such as radiation, surgery). Medroxyprogesterone may prevent or slow the worsening of the cancer and decrease pain and other symptoms.

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using medroxyprogesterone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional, usually once a week or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. When the medication is working and your condition stops getting worse, your doctor may direct you to have your injections less often, such as once a month. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Keep all your medical appointments. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

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 of the products that may interact with this drug include: acitretin, aminoglutethimide, amprenavir, corticosteroids (such as hydrocortisone, prednisone), isotretinoin, phenytoin, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, warfarin. Certain drugs can decrease the amount of medroxyprogesterone in your system. These drugs include aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, certain cephalosporin antibiotics (ceftazidime, cefuroxime), griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), other HIV medications (efavirenz, nevirapine), certain drugs for narcolepsy (armodafinil, modafinil), rifamycins (such as rifampin), many seizure medications (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, rufinamide, topiramate), St. John's wort. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details, and tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the drugs listed above. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain hormone levels, thyroid tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you are using this medication.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, breast exams, Pap smears) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of stroke or other blood clots (such as in the legs, eyes, lungs), breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast exam, cancer of the cervix, abnormal/unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, current/suspected pregnancy, depression, frequent use of alcohol/tobacco, asthma, diabetes, heart disease (such as chest pain, heart failure, high blood pressure), kidney disease, migraine, seizures, personal/family history of bone disease (such as osteoporosis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all of the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drug, and herbal products). This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic and will not be stored at home.

Nausea, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, headache, tiredness, breast tenderness, decrease in breast size, acne, hair loss, weight gain, change in vaginal discharge, or irritation/pain at injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Women using this medication may have irregular menstrual periods or heavier or lighter flow. You may also have some spotting between periods. Your periods may stop completely after you have been receiving this medication for about a year. If this occurs, your periods will normally return after you stop receiving this medication. 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 (such as depression), swelling of the ankles/feet, bone pain, unusual breast discharge, lump in breast, abnormal severe/persistent vaginal bleeding, seizures, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, unusual weakness/tiredness, dark urine, yellowing skin/eyes. 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: chest/jaw/left arm pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, confusion, sudden/severe headache, slurred speech, vision changes/problems (such as double vision, partial or complete vision loss, bulging eyes), weakness on one side of the body. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: 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.