Cycrin

Generic Name: medroxyprogesterone (oral)

Brand Names: Amen, Cycrin, Progestone, Provera

What is medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone is a progestin (a form of progesterone), a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and menstrual periods.

Medroxyprogesterone is used to treat conditions such as absent or irregular menstrual periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone is also used to decrease the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a condition that may lead to uterine cancer) while taking estrogens.

Medroxyprogesterone is also used to prevent overgrowth in the lining of the uterus in postmenopausal females who are receiving estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

Medroxyprogesterone may also be used for other purposes prescribed by your healthcare professional and not listed above.

What is the most important information you should know about medroxyprogesterone?

You should not use this drug if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, a history of stroke or blood clot, or abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a medical assistant. Medroxyprogesterone will not prevent heart disease, breast cancer, or dementia, and may actually increase the risk of developing these conditions in post-menopausal women. Medroxyprogesterone may also increase the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer in some females. Long-term treatment with estrogens and progestins (such as medroxyprogesterone) may also increase your risk of heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.

Talk to your medical assistant about your specific risks and benefits of taking this medicine, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.

 

What should you discuss with your healthcare professional before taking medroxyprogesterone?

FDA pregnancy category X.

Medroxyprogesterone can cause birth defects. Do not use if this medicine you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not use this drug if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone, or if you have:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed
• a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
• liver disease
• a history of stroke or blood clot

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medicine. Before using medroxyprogesterone, tell your healthcare professional if you have:

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, recent stroke or heart attack
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol or triglycerides
• low levels of calcium in your blood
• severe pelvic pain
• recent miscarriage or abortion
• epilepsy
• asthma
• migraine headaches
• kidney disease
• diabetes
• lupus

Medroxyprogesterone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your healthcare professional if you are breast-feeding a baby. Medroxyprogesterone will not prevent heart disease, breast cancer, or dementia, and may actually increase the risk of developing these conditions in post-menopausal women. Medroxyprogesterone may also increase the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer in some women. Long-term treatment with estrogens and progestins (such as medroxyprogesterone) may also increase your risk of heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.

Talk to your healthcare professional about your specific risks and benefits of taking this drug, especially if you smoke or are overweight. Your medical assistant should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.

How should you take medroxyprogesterone?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your medical assistant. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Medroxyprogesterone is usually given for only a few days in a row each month. You may need to start taking the medication on a certain day of your menstrual cycle, depending on why you are taking medroxyprogesterone. Follow your medical assistant’s instructions.

Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using medroxyprogesterone.

This medicine can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking medroxyprogesterone.

What happens if you miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medication at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra drug to make up the missed dose.

What happens if you overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this drug.
Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, drowsiness, breast tenderness, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain or vaginal bleeding.

What should you avoid while taking medroxyprogesterone?

Avoid smoking while you are taking this medicine. Smoking greatly increases your risk of blood clots.

What are Medroxyprogesterone side effects?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• hives;
• difficulty breathing.

Call your medical assistant promptly if you have any of these

Serious side effects:

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
• chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate
• pain or swelling in one or both legs
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
• vaginal bleeding if you have already gone through menopause
• feeling like you might pass out
• a breast lump
• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, dizziness, mood changes, headache)
• fever
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Less serious side effects may include:

• spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• changes in your menstrual periods
• vaginal itching or discharge
• breast tenderness or discharge
• mild itching or skin rash
• increased acne, hair growth, loss of scalp hair
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• changes in appetite or weight
• mild stomach pain, bloating, nausea
• skin color changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your medical assistant.|

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your medical assistant. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.|

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your medical assistant.|

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your medical assistant about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.]

What other medications will affect medroxyprogesterone?

Your doctor may already be aware of any possible medication interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drug before checking with your healthcare professional first.

Before using this medication, tell your medical assistant of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aminoglutethimide, medications affecting liver enzymes that remove medroxyprogesterone from your body (such as rifampin, St. John’s wort, azole antifungals including itraconazole, certain anti-seizure drugs including carbamazepine/phenobarbital/phenytoin).

This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your medical assistants know you use this medicine.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your medical assistant of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medicines with you, and share the list with your healthcare professional.

How is medroxyprogesterone should be stored?

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Store all medications away from children and domestic animals.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard the medicine when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.