What is Depo-Provera: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Depo-Provera

• Missed dose: You must receive a shot every 3 months if you want to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you do not receive your medicine on time, because you may need another form of birth control.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle (usually in the buttocks or upper arm) or just under the skin.

• Your exact treatment schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine. You doctor will explain your personal schedule. For treatment of cancer symptoms, you may start with a shot once per week. You may need fewer shots as your treatment goes forward.For birth control or endometriosis, you will need a shot every 3 months (13 weeks).You might need to have the first shot during the first 5 days of your normal menstrual period, to make sure you are not pregnant. If you have just had a baby, you may receive a shot 5 days after birth if you are not breastfeeding or 6 weeks after birth if you are breastfeeding.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle (usually in the buttocks or upper arm) or just under the skin.

• Your exact treatment schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine. You doctor will explain your personal schedule. For treatment of cancer symptoms, you may start with a shot once per week. You may need fewer shots as your treatment goes forward.For birth control or endometriosis, you will need a shot every 3 months (13 weeks).You might need to have the first shot during the first 5 days of your normal menstrual period, to make sure you are not pregnant. If you have just had a baby, you may receive a shot 5 days after birth if you are not breastfeeding or 6 weeks after birth if you are breastfeeding.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: You must receive a shot every 3 months if you want to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you do not receive your medicine on time, because you may need another form of birth control.

What to do if you miss a dose of Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to medroxyprogesterone or if you have a history of breast cancer or blood clots (including heart attack or stroke). In most cases, you should not use this medicine while you are pregnant.

Depo-Provera warnings

• Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, seizures, migraine headaches, an eating disorder, osteoporosis, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you smoke.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Weak or thin bones, especially with long-term useBlood clots, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, eye or vision problems, or other serious problemsPossible increased risk of breast cancerInjection site reactionsLiver problemsChanges in menstrual periodsFluid retention (edema) and weight gain

• You should not use this medicine for long-term birth control unless you cannot use any other form of birth control.

• This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Depo-Provera interactions

• Some medicines can affect how medroxyprogesterone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Aminoglutethimide, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, mitotane, modafinil, nefazodone, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, St John's wort, topiramateMedicine to treat an infection (including clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, telithromycin, voriconazole)Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including atazanavir, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, seizures, migraine headaches, an eating disorder, osteoporosis, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you smoke.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Blood clots, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, or other serious problemsPossible increased risk of breast cancerWeak or thin bones, especially with long-term use

• You should not use this medicine for long-term birth control unless you cannot use any other form of birth control.

• This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.