MEDROXYPROGESTERONE acetate injectable

Select language:
Permalink
On this page

     

    Last updated: October 2021

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Hormonal contraceptive, progestogen

    Indications

    • Long-acting contraception
    • Long-term treatment of functional uterine bleeding 

    Forms and strengths, route of administration

    • 150 mg in 1 ml vial or prefilled syringe (150 mg/ml) for IM injection

    Dosage

    • Adolescent and adult: 150 mg every 3 months (13 weeks). Subsequent injections may be administered up to 2 weeks before or 4 weeks after the scheduled date.
    • The injection may be administered at any moment of the cycle if it is reasonably certain the woman is not pregnant, including when switching from another form of contraception.  

    For contraception, use condoms for 7 days after the injection if it is administered:

    • more than 7 days after the start of menstruation;
    • more than 28 days postpartum if not breastfeeding; 
    • more than 7 days after an abortion.

    Duration

    • Contraception: as long as this method of contraception is desired and well tolerated.
    • Long-term treatment of functional uterine bleeding: according to clinical response.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with breast cancer, severe hypertension (≥ 160/100), active thromboembolic disorders, uncontrolled or complicated diabetes, severe or recent hepatic disease.
    • May cause: menstrual irregularities, amenorrhoea, menometrorrhagia, breast tenderness, headache, weight gain, acne, mood change, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances.
    • The contraceptive efficacy of medroxyprogesterone does not seem to be reduced in women taking enzyme-inducing drugs.
    • Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Shake the vial vigorously before use to homogenise the suspension.
    • Return to fertility is delayed for 3 to 12 months after stopping injections.
    • Also comes in prefilled single-use injection system (104 mg/0.65 ml) for SC self-administration in the abdomen or anterior thigh.

    Storage

     
    – Below 25 °C