Depo Provera 150mg

Depo Provera general information

What is Depo Provera used for?

Depo Provera injection is used as a source of progesterone for several conditions, including, to provide contraception, by suppressing ovulation and preventing growth of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) and to treat endometriosis, which is growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing pain and bleeding. Depo Provera is also used to treat (but not cure) certain oestrogen-related cancers like breast, endometrial and renal carcinomas, when used at high doses, by inhibiting their growth. Adding a progestogen with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals by suppressing endogenous testosterone product and Depo Provera injections can be used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate the development breast development and reduce the production of testosterone.

How does Depo Provera work?

Depo Provera injection contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way but is more potent, also when injected form it is long-acting. Endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone is produced by the ovaries during the second phase of the menstrual cycle. It acts on the endometrium (lining of the uterus) converting the proliferating phase to the secretory phase, so that the endometrium, which has thickened in response to oestrogen during the first half of the cycle, stops growing and starts secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs; if not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation). Depo Provera injection acts on the endometrium in all its locations to stop it growing, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding. The contraceptive action of Depo Provera injection is based on its suppression of ovulation, preventing the thinning of cervical mucus, which remains thick, forming a physical barrier to sperm, as well its inhibition of endometrial growth.

What does Depo Provera contain?

Depo Provera injection contains the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate 150mg in a 1ml white aqueous suspension. It also contains macrogol 3350, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate and water. Depo-Provera 150mg/ml presents as a 1ml disposable syringe with needle included.

Treating endometriosis with Depo Provera

Depo Provera injection contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which works in a similar way. During a normal menstrual cycle, endogenous progesterone (produced by the ovaries) acts on the endometrium and causes it to stop growing and start secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs. If not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation). Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus which behaves in the same way as uterine endometrium. Depo Provera injection acts on the endometrium in all its locations to stop it growing, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding.

Depo Provera for contraception

Depo Provera injection contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which works in a similar way. Endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone is produced by the ovaries during the second phase of the menstrual cycle and suppresses ovulation, inhibits growth and thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus), and preventing the thinning of cervical mucus, which remains thick, forming a physical barrier to sperm. This triple contraceptive action ensures that there is no egg released to be fertilized, no sperm can get to an egg and no fertilized egg can implant in the endometrium.

Depo Provera for transgender treatment

Depo Provera injections contain medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which works in a similar way. Adding a progestin with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals and Depo Provera injections are used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and reduce the production of testosterone.

Depo Provera for feminising hormone therapy

Depo Provera injections are used as a progestin component of transgender hormone therapy along with the feminising hormone oestrogen, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and reduce the production of testosterone.

What are the side effects of Depo Provera?

The most frequently reported side effects when taking Depo Provera injections, include acne, menstrual changes (breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or missed periods) dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, nausea, nervousness, skin rash and itch, sleeplessness, stomach pain, weight gain or loss. More severe side effects include jaundice.

What are the health risks of using Depo Provera?

If you have been using Depo Provera injections for more than 2 years and are pre-menopausal, you may be at risk of losing bone mineral density and developing brittle bones, particularly if you have a family history of brittle bones (osteoporosis), which increases your risk of fracture.

Can Depo Provera affect your fertility?

Depo Provera injections suppress ovulation and therefore disrupt the normal menstrual cycle. This form of contraception is long lasting and although reversible, it may take a few months to become fully fertile after your last injection.

When should Depo Provera not be used?

You should not use Depo Provera if you:

• are allergic to medroxyprogesterone or any other ingredient in Depo Provera injections
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• a history of thrombosis (blood clots) or stroke
• a bone disease or a family history of bone disease, such as brittle bones (osteoporosis)
• a lack of normal menstrual periods
• abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• eating disorders (anorexia)
• are taking aminoglutethimide, used to treat breast cancer, as this may reduce the effectiveness of Depo Provera

How should Depo Provera be given?

The dose of Depo-Provera and the number of injections that you are given depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations. The injection syringe should be thoroughly mixed by shaking before injecting the contents intramuscularly (into the muscle of buttocks or upper arm). For contraception, the usual dose is one injection (150mg) every 3 months, which can be given as a one-off injection for short-term contraception or repeated every 3 months for long-term contraception. For endometriosis, the dose given may vary, depending on your doctor’s recommendations and you may be given injections weekly or every 2 weeks usually for up to 6 months. The doses used to treat cancers are usually much higher than for other uses and for endometrial and renal carcinoma, injections are given weekly, but for breast cancer injections are usually given every day for the first 4 weeks.

How long should Depo Provera be given for?

You will be given Depo Provera injections for as long as recommended by your doctor for several weeks, months or years, depending on what you are being treated for.

Missed dose of Depo Provera

If you miss a dose of Depo Provera injection for contraception and time between your injections is greater than 13 weeks, your doctor will need to check that you are not pregnant before you are given another injection, as the contraceptive action lasts only 12 weeks.

How should Depo Provera be stored?

You should store your Depo Provera injection in a cool dry place below 25°C.