Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about DEPO-PROVERA.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking DEPO-PROVERA against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What DEPO-PROVERA is used for
The active ingredient of DEPO-PROVERA is a chemical similar to the natural hormone progesterone. Your ovaries produce progesterone during the second half of your monthly cycle.
There are several reasons why your doctor may have prescribed DEPO-PROVERA for you.
DEPO-PROVERA is used for the following reasons.
Contraception
DEPO-PROVERA is an injectable form of contraception. Each injection protects you from pregnancy for 3 months.
DEPO-PROVERA works by inhibiting the hormones that are needed for the release of eggs from your ovaries.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (womb) grow in places outside the uterus.
During your period, these cells may grow and break down in the same way as those in the lining of the uterus. This causes pain and discomfort. DEPO-PROVERA helps to stop the growth of cells outside the uterus.
Cancer
DEPO-PROVERA is also used in the treatment of certain types of cancer including cancer of the breast, kidney and endometrium (lining of the uterus). It works by inhibiting the growth of these types of cancer cells. DEPO-PROVERA is not a cure for cancer.
Your doctor may have prescribed DEPO-PROVERA for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why DEPO-PROVERA has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given DEPO-PROVERA
When you must not be given it
DEPO-PROVERA should not be used if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
blood clots in your legs
swelling and redness along a vein (usually extremely tender when touched)
a stroke
liver problems
unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed
blood in your urine that has not been diagnosed
any lumps in your breast that have not been diagnosed
any bleeding or discharge from your nipples
severe, uncontrolled, high blood pressure.
DEPO-PROVERA should not be used if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
DEPO-PROVERA should not be used if you have an allergy to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
DEPO-PROVERA should not be used after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should be treated with DEPO-PROVERA, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you are given it
DEPO-PROVERA does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV infection. Using DEPO-PROVERA as directed will not expose you to STIs, as it is a sterile injection product. Practising safe sex (ie. Using condoms) can lower the risk STI transmission, including HIV through sexual contact.
You must tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect you may be pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
blood clots in your legs
swollen red veins
stroke
breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer
any problems with your breasts
unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
blood pressure problems
epilepsy
migraine
asthma
heart problems
kidney problems
liver problems
diabetes
depression
abnormal menstrual periods
bone disease or a family history of bone disease, such as brittle bones (osteoporosis)
eating disorders (anorexia).
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you are treated with DEPO-PROVERA.
DEPO-PROVERA is intended to prevent pregnancy. It will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis or gonorrhoea. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid these diseases.
If you are under 35 years of age when you first start treatment with DEPO-PROVERA, you may have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. This is similar to the risk with oral contraceptives (the Pill). If you have any concerns about this, please discuss them with your doctor.
The use of DEPO-PROVERA results in a decrease in the amount of calcium stored in your bones. This could increase your risk of developing brittle bones (osteoporosis), which can lead to bone breakages in later life. This affects women of all ages; however, it can be greater if you are under 18 years old. Your doctor will assess this risk before giving you DEPO-PROVERA and if you continue using DEPO-PROVERA for more than 2 years.
The amount of calcium in your bones will start to increase again once you stop treatment with DEPO-PROVERA. The time to recovery depends on duration of use. Some women may only partially recover the amount of calcium in their bone. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns over the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with DEPO-PROVERA. These include aminoglutethimide, a medicine used to treat breast cancer. This medicine may affect how well DEPO-PROVERA works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor or pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being treated with DEPO-PROVERA.
How DEPO-PROVERA is given
DEPO-PROVERA is given as an injection into the muscle of your buttock. Your doctor or a trained nurse will give you the injection.
The amount of DEPO-PROVERA and the number of injections that you receive will depend on the reason for the treatment.
The dose for contraception and for endometriosis is a lot less than for cancer.
How much is given
Contraception
The recommended dose of DEPO-PROVERA for effective contraception is 150 mg every three months. The contraceptive protection of DEPO-PROVERA starts as soon as you have the first injection.
It is very important that you make arrangements to return to your doctor every three months for your injections, to ensure that pregnancy is prevented.
If you are using DEPO-PROVERA as a contraceptive for the first time, your first injection should only be given during the first 5 days after the start of your normal monthly period.
If you are using DEPO-PROVERA as a form of contraception after the birth of your baby and if you are not breastfeeding, the first injection should be given within 5 days after the baby was born.
If you are breastfeeding, the first injection should be given 6 weeks after the baby was born and after your doctor has checked that you are not pregnant.
If you are switching from another form of contraception, then DEPO-PROVERA should be given in a way that ensures you have continuous contraceptive cover. For example, patients switching from the oral contraceptive pill should have their first DEPO-PROVERA injection within 7 days after taking the last active pill.
If the time between your injections is greater than 14 weeks, your doctor will need to check that you are not pregnant before they give you another injection.
Endometriosis
The usual dosage is either 50 mg weekly or 100 mg every two weeks.
Treatment for endometriosis is usually for at least 6 months.
Breast Cancer
The usual dosage for breast cancer is 500 mg every day for 4 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, DEPO-PROVERA is given as a weekly injection of 500 mg or 1000 mg.
Your doctor will determine how much you should receive and how long you should continue to receive these injections.
Other types of cancer
The initial dose range of DEPO-PROVERA is 600 mg to 1200 mg every week. This is followed by an injection of 450 mg to 600 mg every 1 to 4 weeks.
Your doctor will determine how much you will receive and how long you should continue to receive the injections.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have been treated with too much DEPO-PROVERA.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using DEPO-PROVERA
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while using DEPO-PROVERA, tell your doctor. (The chance of falling pregnant while using DEPO-PROVERA as a contraceptive is low).
If you have sudden partial or complete loss of vision or sudden onset of double vision or migraine while you are taking DEPO-PROVERA, tell your doctor immediately.
Tell all doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you have been treated with DEPO-PROVERA, particularly if you are about to have any pathology tests (e.g., blood or urine tests). DEPO-PROVERA may interfere with the results.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you have been treated with DEPO-PROVERA.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how DEPO-PROVERA affects you. DEPO-PROVERA generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, DEPO-PROVERA may cause dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue in some people. Make sure you know how you react to DEPO-PROVERA before driving a car or operating machinery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well during or after treatment with DEPO-PROVERA.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. However, you may need medical treatment if you get some side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Most women using DEPO-PROVERA for contraception experience changes in their normal monthly period. This includes irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting or, rarely, heavy or continuous bleeding. If abnormal bleeding continues or is severe, see your doctor immediately.
With continued use of DEPO-PROVERA, it is usual for vaginal bleeding to decrease. Your periods may stop completely.
When you stop treatment with DEPO-PROVERA, your periods will return. However, this may take up to 18 months. Most women find that it takes 12 to 18 months after their last injection to become pregnant. The length of time that you use DEPO-PROVERA does not affect the time it takes for you to become pregnant. If you do not wish to become pregnant after you stop using DEPO-PROVERA, you or your partner should use another form of contraception.
A reduction in the amount of calcium stored in your bones leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis) or fractures may occur. Tell your doctor if this worries you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
nervousness
confusion
euphoria
loss of concentration
trouble sleeping
drowsiness or sleepiness
fatigue
depression
dizziness
headache
tremor or shaking
hives, rash or itching
acne
excessive hair growth
unusual hair loss or thinning
sweating
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
constipation
dry mouth
breast tenderness or secretions
changes in vaginal secretions
irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
lack of menstrual periods
weight increases or decreases
high fever
abscess formation at the injection site
abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort
decreased libido or the inability to climax
backache
leg cramps
muscle spasms
joint pain
pain and inflammation of the vagina
swelling or puffiness
fluid retention
hot flushes
vision problems
impotence (in men being treated for cancer).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:
sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
sharp chest pain or coughing up blood
weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
fainting
severe pain or swelling in your calf
sudden onset of migraine
severe abdominal pain
changes in metabolism resulting in the loss of body fat in certain areas of your body such as your face.
hand tremors, sweating, cramps in calves at night
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.
These may be signs of a serious side effect. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. These include side effects that can only be detected with a blood test. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
After treatment with DEPO-PROVERA
Storage
Keep DEPO-PROVERA in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Normally you should take DEPO-PROVERA straight from the pharmacy to your doctor. Do not leave it in a car.
If for any reason you take your DEPO-PROVERA home, always ensure that it is stored in a place where children cannot reach it.
Do not store DEPO-PROVERA or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Disposal
If the vial of DEPO-PROVERA has passed its expiry date, return it to your pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like
DEPO-PROVERA is a white cloudy liquid.
Ingredients
Each vial of DEPO-PROVERA contains medroxyprogesterone acetate as an active ingredient.
In addition, each vial contains macrogol 3350, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate and Water for Injections.
DEPO-PROVERA does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
