Saturday, December 3, 2011

Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection | Dosage | Uses | Side effects

Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure

The active ingredient contained in Depo-Provera is medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a a derivative of progesterone. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a white to off-white odorless crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in acetone and dioxane, sparingly soluble in alcohol and methanol, slightly soluble in ether, and insoluble in water. The structure is shown below
Structure Of Medroxyprogesterone acetate


Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) - Uses

Depo-Provera in the form of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection is used for the prevention of pregnancy. Depo-Provera is also used as adjunctive therapy and palliative treatment of inoperable, recurrent, and metastatic endometrial or renal carcinoma.


Generic Forms and Brand names of Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate)

Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection manufactured by Pfizer, Belgium is an effective treatment for the prevention of pregnancy.


Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection - Preparations

Depo-Provera for intramuscular (IM) injection is available in vials and prefilled syringes. Each vial contains 1 mL of medroxyprogesterone acetate sterile aqueous suspension 150 mg/mL.


Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection - Contraindication

Depo-Provera is contraindicated in known or suspected cases pregnancy or if the patient has known hypersensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any other inactive ingredients present in Depo-Provera. It is also contraindicated in patients that have active thrombophlebitis, or current or past history of thromboembolic disorders, or cerebral vascular disease. Other cases where Depo-Provera is contrindicated include Known or suspected malignancy of breast, Significant liver disease and Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.


Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection - Storage Requirements

Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection is be stored upright at controlled room temperature at (20°C to 25°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.


Warnings and Precautions When Using Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection

Below are mentioned the warnings and precautions when Using Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection:
Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection (CI) use reduces serum estrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of bone mineral density (BMD).
Depo-Provera CI should be discontinued in patients who develop thrombosis
Women with breast nodules or a strong family history of breast cancer should be monitored carefully.
Consider ectopic pregnancy if a woman using Depo-Provera CI becomes pregnant or complains of severe abdominal pain.
Provide emergency medical treatment in case a patient develops Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactoid Reaction.
Depo-Provera CI should be discontinued if jaundice or disturbances of liver function develop.
There have been a few reported cases of convulsions in patients who were treated with Depo-Provera CI.
Diabetic patients should be monitored carefully for Carbohydrate Metabolism as a decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients .


Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection - Dosage

The recommended dose is 150 mg of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection every 3 months (13 weeks) administered by deep Intramuscular injection in the gluteal or deltoid muscle.


Side Effects Of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate)

The most common side effects of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection are menstrual irregularities (bleeding or spotting), abdominal pain/discomfort, weight gain, dizziness, headache, nervousness and decreased libido.


Further Information

Prescribing Information