Medroxyprogesterone/estradiol (Injection)

Introduction

Estradiol (es-tra-DYE-ol), Medroxyprogesterone (me-drox-ee-proe-JES-ter-one)

Prevents pregnancy. This medicine is a form of birth control (contraception).

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to medroxyprogesterone or estradiol, if you may be pregnant, or if you have ever had blot-clotting problems, coronary artery disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, liver disease, or vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by your doctor. Under certain conditions, you should not receive this medicine if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, severe headaches, problems with your heart valves, or if you smoke.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Your first shot must be given during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, or at least 4 weeks after having a baby.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a regular schedule, every 28 to 30 days, in order for it to work properly. If you go longer than 33 days without a shot, ask your doctor for instructions.
• If you miss 1 period and have not had your shots on schedule, call your doctor. If you miss 2 periods in a row, call your doctor, even if you have gotten your shots on time.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®), antibiotics (such as ampicillin, tetracycline, or griseofulvin (Grifulvin®)), St. John's Wort, rifampin (Rifadin®), phenylbutazone, cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), prednisolone, theophylline, Tylenol®, temazepam (Restoril®), morphine, or clofibric acid.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, blood vessel disorders, high cholesterol, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, gall bladder problems, family history of breast cancer, or a history of depression.
• This medicine may increase or decrease the length or heaviness of your menstrual periods. After your body has settled into a pattern of regular cycles, call your doctor if there is a change in this pattern.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine for several weeks before you have surgery or any other condition that keeps you in bed for a while.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Severe headache, trouble speaking, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• Severe mood changes
• Sharp pain in lower leg
• Very heavy vaginal bleeding, either sudden or ongoing
• Vision changes, loss of vision, double vision, protruding eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breast tenderness or pain
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Trouble wearing contact lenses
• Weight gain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088