What is Makena: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Makena overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Makena

Generic Names:

  • Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate

Uses:

  • Lowers the risk of delivering your baby too early (preterm birth).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Makena used for?

What form(s) does Makena come in

  • Injectable

What are common Makena doses?

  • Vial 1ML of 250MG/ML

  • Vial 5ML of 250MG/ML

  • Syringe 1.1000000238418579ML of 275MG/1.1ML

Common Makena prescriptions

  • Makena
    1.1ml of 275mg/1.1ml syringe

  • Makena
    1ml of 250mg/ml vial

  • Makena
    5ml of 250mg/ml vial

How to take Makena

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or under your skin.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • This medicine is usually given every 7 days. You will begin receiving this medicine between weeks 16 and 20 of your pregnancy.

  • You will continue to receive this medicine once a week until week 37 of your pregnancy or until you give birth.

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

  • Missed dose:Oral routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor for instructions.

  • You will continue to receive this medicine once a week until week 37 of your pregnancy or until you give birth.

  • This medicine is usually given every 7 days. You will begin receiving this medicine between weeks 16 and 20 of your pregnancy.

  • Missed dose:Oral routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor for instructions.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

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

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or under your skin.

What to do if you miss a dose of Makena

Makena contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to hydroxyprogesterone or castor oil, or if you have active liver disease or liver cancer, high blood pressure that is not controlled, unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) caused by pregnancy, or a history of breast cancer or blood clots.

Makena warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, heart problems, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, epilepsy, or a history of seizures or depression.

  • This medicine may cause blood clots and high blood pressure.

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

  • Numbness or weakness in one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankle, or feet

  • Yellow skin or eyes

Makena interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, kidney problems, heart problems, or a history of seizures, depression or cancer.

  • This medicine may cause blood clots.

Makena side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankle, or feet

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • Changes in mood or behavior

  • Numbness or weakness in one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Pain, itching, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given

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