MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE

Drug Name: MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE DESCRIPTION:
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE - ORAL (meh-DROX-ee-pro-JESS-tur-own)

COMMON MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE BRAND NAME(S):
Amen, Cycrin, Progestone, Provera

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE SIDE EFFECTS:
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, depression, sleeplessness, or irritability. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following while taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE: dizziness or fainting, sudden severe headache, changes in vision, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, swelling of the hands or feet, acute chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the calves accompanied by swelling/warmth/ redness, changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or complete stoppage of bleeding). If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE:
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE: May be taken with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Take MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE as prescribed. It is usually taken for 5 to 13 days during the later end of the menstrual cycle. A menstrual period should begin within 3 to 10 days of stopping the medication. For treatment of cancer, the medication is usually taken more often. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE WARNING:
You should not use MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE during the first 4 months of pregnancy because birth defects may occur. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE has not been proven to prevent natural abortions that occur early in the pregnancy. Often, the cause of an early natural abortion is due to a defective female egg. Using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE does not fix a defective egg and may get in the way of expelling it.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE USES:
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE is a female hormone. It is used to treat amenorrhea (lack of menstrual flow), abnormal bleeding from the uterus, or endometriosis (a painful condition where the lining of the uterus is abnormal). It is also used to treat certain types of cancer and menopausal symptoms.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE PRECAUTIONS:
Before you take MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE, tell your doctor your medical history, including: high blood pressure, seizures, migraine headaches, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, cancer of the breast or genitals, high blood level of cholesterol or fats, depression, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes). Because MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE can interfere with laboratory tests, tell the doctor and laboratory personnel that you take medroxyprogesterone. Medroxyprogesterone may slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors. Cigarette smoking further increases these risks. Therefore, cigarette smoking should be avoided while taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the first four months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE. MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE is excreted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports (to date) of problems in nursing infants, breast-feeding while using very high doses of MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and dizziness.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE NOTES:
It is important to have an annual physical exam and do regular self breast examinations while taking MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE. Patient information should be included with the medication. Read it carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any questions you may have. Do not allow anyone else to take MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE.

MISSED MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.