Components:
Method of action:
Treatment option:
Medically reviewed by Fedorchenko Olga Valeryevna, PharmD. Last updated on 26.03.2022
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Progestogen: for contraception.
Depo-Provera is a long-term contraceptive agent suitable for use in women who have been appropriately counselled concerning the likelihood of menstrual disturbance and the potential for a delay in return to full fertility.
Depo-Provera may also be used for short-term contraception in the following circumstances:
1) For partners of men undergoing vasectomy, for protection until the vasectomy becomes effective.
2) In women who are being immunised against rubella, to prevent pregnancy during the period of activity of the virus.
3) In women awaiting sterilisation.
Since loss of bone mineral density (BMD) may occur in females of all ages who use Depo-Provera injection long-term , a risk/benefit assessment, which also takes into consideration the decrease in BMD that occurs during pregnancy and/or lactation, should be considered before giving the injection of Depo-Provera.
Paediatric population (12-18 years)
In adolescents, Depo-Provera may be used, but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patient and considered unsuitable or unacceptable.
It is of the greatest importance that adequate explanations of the long-term nature of the product, of its possible side-effects and of the impossibility of immediately reversing the effects of each injection are given to potential users and that every effort is made to ensure that each patient receives such counselling as to enable her to fully understand these explanations. Patient information leaflets are supplied by the manufacturer. It is recommended that the doctor uses these leaflets to aid counselling of the patient before giving the injection of Depo-Provera.
Consistent with good clinical practice a general medical as well as gynaecological examination should be undertaken before administration of Depo-Provera and at appropriate intervals thereafter.
Progestogen: for contraception.
Embryogen is a long-term contraceptive agent suitable for use in women who have been appropriately counselled concerning the likelihood of menstrual disturbance and the potential for a delay in return to full fertility.
Embryogen may also be used for short-term contraception in the following circumstances:
1) For partners of men undergoing vasectomy, for protection until the vasectomy becomes effective.
2) In women who are being immunised against rubella, to prevent pregnancy during the period of activity of the virus.
3) In women awaiting sterilisation.
Since loss of bone mineral density (BMD) may occur in females of all ages who use Embryogen injection long-term , a risk/benefit assessment, which also takes into consideration the decrease in BMD that occurs during pregnancy and/or lactation, should be considered before giving the injection of Embryogen.
Paediatric population (12-18 years)
In adolescents, Embryogen may be used, but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patient and considered unsuitable or unacceptable.
It is of the greatest importance that adequate explanations of the long-term nature of the product, of its possible side-effects and of the impossibility of immediately reversing the effects of each injection are given to potential users and that every effort is made to ensure that each patient receives such counselling as to enable her to fully understand these explanations. Patient information leaflets are supplied by the manufacturer. It is recommended that the doctor uses these leaflets to aid counselling of the patient before giving the injection of Embryogen.
Consistent with good clinical practice a general medical as well as gynaecological examination should be undertaken before administration of Embryogen and at appropriate intervals thereafter.
Posology
Adults:
First injection: To provide contraceptive cover in the first cycle of use, an injection of 150 mg i.m. should be given during the first five days of a normal menstrual cycle. If the injection is carried out according to these instructions, no additional contraceptive cover is required.
Post Partum: To increase assurance that the patient is not pregnant at the time of first administration, this injection should be given within 5 days post partum if not breast-feeding.
There is evidence that women prescribed Depo-Provera in the immediate puerperium can experience prolonged and heavy bleeding. Because of this, the drug should be used with caution in the puerperium. Women who are considering use of the product immediately following delivery or termination should be advised that the risk of heavy or prolonged bleeding may be increased. Doctors are reminded that in the non breast-feeding, post partum patient, ovulation may occur as early as week 4.
If the puerperal woman will be breast-feeding, the initial injection should be given no sooner than six weeks post partum, when the infant's enzyme system is more fully developed. Further injections should be given at 12 week intervals.
Further doses: These should be given at 12 week intervals, however, as long as the injection is given no later than five days after this time, no additional contraceptive measures (e.g. barrier) are required. (N.B. For partners of men undergoing vasectomy, a second injection of 150 mg I.M. 12 weeks after the first may be necessary in a small proportion of patients where the partner's sperm count has not fallen to zero.) If the interval from the preceding injection is greater than 89 days (12 weeks and five days) for any reason, then pregnancy should be excluded before the next injection is given and the patient should use additional contraceptive measures (e.g. barrier) for fourteen days after this subsequent injection.
Elderly: Not appropriate.
Paediatric population: Depo-Provera is not indicated before menarche
Data in adolescent females (12-18 years) is available. Other than concerns about loss of BMD, the safety and effectiveness of Depo-Provera is expected to be the same for adolescents after menarche and adult females.
Switching from other Methods of Contraception
Depo-Provera should be given in a manner that ensures continuous contraceptive coverage. This should be based upon the mechanism of action of other methods, (e.g. patients switching from oral contraceptives should have their first injection of Depo-provera within 7 days of taking their last active pill)
Hepatic Insufficiency
The effect of hepatic disease on the pharmacokinetics of Depo-Provera is unknown. As Depo-Provera largely undergoes hepatic elimination it may be poorly metabolised in patients with severe liver insufficiency.
Renal Insufficiency
The effect of renal disease on the pharmacokinetics of Depo-Provera is unknown. No dosage adjustment should be necessary in women with renal insufficiency, since Depo-Provera is almost exclusively eliminated by hepatic metabolism.
Method of Administration
The sterile aqueous suspension of Depo-Provera should be vigorously shaken just before use to ensure that the dose being given represents a uniform suspension of Depo-Provera.
Doses should be given by deep intramuscular injection. Care should be taken to ensure that the depot injection is given into the muscle tissue, preferably the gluteus maximus, but other muscle tissue such as the deltoid may be used.
The site of injection should be cleansed using standard methods prior to administration of the injection.
Posology
Adults:
First injection: To provide contraceptive cover in the first cycle of use, an injection of 150 mg i.m. should be given during the first five days of a normal menstrual cycle. If the injection is carried out according to these instructions, no additional contraceptive cover is required.
Post Partum: To increase assurance that the patient is not pregnant at the time of first administration, this injection should be given within 5 days post partum if not breast-feeding.
There is evidence that women prescribed Embryogen in the immediate puerperium can experience prolonged and heavy bleeding. Because of this, the drug should be used with caution in the puerperium. Women who are considering use of the product immediately following delivery or termination should be advised that the risk of heavy or prolonged bleeding may be increased. Doctors are reminded that in the non breast-feeding, post partum patient, ovulation may occur as early as week 4.
If the puerperal woman will be breast-feeding, the initial injection should be given no sooner than six weeks post partum, when the infant's enzyme system is more fully developed. Further injections should be given at 12 week intervals.
Further doses: These should be given at 12 week intervals, however, as long as the injection is given no later than five days after this time, no additional contraceptive measures (e.g. barrier) are required. (N.B. For partners of men undergoing vasectomy, a second injection of 150 mg I.M. 12 weeks after the first may be necessary in a small proportion of patients where the partner's sperm count has not fallen to zero.) If the interval from the preceding injection is greater than 89 days (12 weeks and five days) for any reason, then pregnancy should be excluded before the next injection is given and the patient should use additional contraceptive measures (e.g. barrier) for fourteen days after this subsequent injection.
Elderly: Not appropriate.
Paediatric population: Embryogen is not indicated before menarche
Data in adolescent females (12-18 years) is available. Other than concerns about loss of BMD, the safety and effectiveness of Embryogen is expected to be the same for adolescents after menarche and adult females.
Switching from other Methods of Contraception
Embryogen should be given in a manner that ensures continuous contraceptive coverage. This should be based upon the mechanism of action of other methods, (e.g. patients switching from oral contraceptives should have their first injection of Embryogen within 7 days of taking their last active pill)
Hepatic Insufficiency
The effect of hepatic disease on the pharmacokinetics of Embryogen is unknown. As Embryogen largely undergoes hepatic elimination it may be poorly metabolised in patients with severe liver insufficiency.
Renal Insufficiency
The effect of renal disease on the pharmacokinetics of Embryogen is unknown. No dosage adjustment should be necessary in women with renal insufficiency, since Embryogen is almost exclusively eliminated by hepatic metabolism.
Method of Administration
The sterile aqueous suspension of Embryogen should be vigorously shaken just before use to ensure that the dose being given represents a uniform suspension of Embryogen.
Doses should be given by deep intramuscular injection. Care should be taken to ensure that the depot injection is given into the muscle tissue, preferably the gluteus maximus, but other muscle tissue such as the deltoid may be used.
The site of injection should be cleansed using standard methods prior to administration of the injection.
Depo-Provera should not be used during pregnancy, either for diagnosis or therapy.
Depo-Provera is contraindicated as a contraceptive at the above dosage in known or suspected hormone-dependent malignancy of breast or genital organs.
Depo-Provera is contraindicated in patients with the presence or history of severe hepatic disease whose liver function tests have not returned to normal.
Whether administered alone or in combination with oestrogen, Depo-Provera should not be employed in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding until a definite diagnosis has been established and the possibility of genital tract malignancy eliminated.
Embryogen should not be used during pregnancy, either for diagnosis or therapy.
Embryogen is contraindicated as a contraceptive at the above dosage in known or suspected hormone-dependent malignancy of breast or genital organs.
Embryogen is contraindicated in patients with the presence or history of severe hepatic disease whose liver function tests have not returned to normal.
Whether administered alone or in combination with oestrogen, Embryogen should not be employed in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding until a definite diagnosis has been established and the possibility of genital tract malignancy eliminated.
Loss of Bone Mineral Density:
Use of Depo-Provera reduces serum oestrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of BMD due to the known effect of oestrogen deficiency on the bone remodelling system. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use; however BMD appears to increase after Depo-Provera is discontinued and ovarian oestrogen production increases.
This loss of BMD is of particular concern during adolescence and early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion. It is unknown if use of Depo-Provera by younger women will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for fracture in later life.
A study to assess the BMD effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate IM (Depo-Provera, DMPA) in adolescent females showed that its use was associated with a significant decline in BMD from baseline. In the small number of women who were followed-up, mean BMD recovered to around baseline values by 1- 3 years after discontinuing treatment. In adolescents, Depo-Provera may be used, but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patients and considered to be unsuitable or unacceptable.
In women of all ages, careful re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of treatment should be carried out in those who wish to continue use for more than 2 years. In particular, in women with significant lifestyle and/or medical risk factors for osteoporosis, other methods of contraception should be considered prior to use of Depo-Provera.
Significant risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Alcohol abuse and/or tobacco use
- Chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass, e.g. anticonvulsants or corticosteroids
- Low body mass index or eating disorder, e.g. anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Previous low trauma fracture
- Family history of osteoporosis
A retrospective cohort study using data from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) reported that women using MPA injections (DMPA), have a higher risk of fracture compared with contraceptive users with no recorded use of DMPA (incident rate ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.35-1.47 for the five year follow-up period); it is not known if this is due to DMPA, or to other related lifestyle factors which have a bearing on fracture rate. By contrast, in women using DMPA, the fracture risk before and after starting DMPA was not increased (relative risk 1.08, 95% CI 0.92-1.26). Importantly, this study could not determine whether use of DMPA has an effect on fracture rate later in life.
< Adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D, whether from the diet or from supplements, is important for bone health in women of all ages.Menstrual Irregularity: The administration of Depo-Provera usually causes disruption of the normal menstrual cycle. Bleeding patterns include amenorrhoea (present in up to 30% of women during the first 3 months and increasing to 55% by month 12 and 68% by month 24); irregular bleeding and spotting; prolonged (>10 days) episodes of bleeding (up to 33% of women in the first 3 months of use decreasing to 12% by month 12). Rarely, heavy prolonged bleeding may occur. Evidence suggests that prolonged or heavy bleeding requiring treatment may occur in 0.5-4 occasions per 100 women years of use. If abnormal bleeding persists or is severe, appropriate investigation should take place to rule out the possibility of organic pathology and appropriate treatment should be instituted when necessary. Excessive or prolonged bleeding can be controlled by the co-administration of oestrogen. This may be delivered either in the form of a low dose (30 micrograms oestrogen) combined oral contraceptive pill or in the form of oestrogen replacement therapy such as conjugated equine oestrogen (0.625-1.25 mg daily). Oestrogen therapy may need to be repeated for 1-2 cycles. Long-term co-administration of oestrogen is not recommended.
Return to Fertility: There is no evidence that Depo-Provera causes permanent infertility. Pregnancies have occurred as early as 14 weeks after a preceding injection, however, in clinical trials, the mean time to return of ovulation was 5.3 months following the preceding injection. Women should be counselled that there is a potential for delay in return to full fertility following use of the method, regardless of the duration of use, however, 83% of women may be expected to conceive within 12 months of the first "missed" injection (i.e. 15 months after the last injection administered). The median time to conception was 10 months (range 4-31) after the last injection.
Cancer Risks: Long-term case-controlled surveillance of Depo-Provera users found no overall increased risk of ovarian, liver, or cervical cancer and a prolonged, protective effect of reducing the risk of endometrial cancer in the population of users.
Breast cancer is rare among women under 40 years of age whether or not they use hormonal contraceptives.
Results from some epidemiological studies suggest a small difference in risk of the disease in current and recent users compared with never-users. Any excess risk in current or recent DMPA users is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer, particularly in young women (see below), and is not apparent after 10 years since last use. Duration of use does not seem to be important.
Possible number of additional cases of breast cancer diagnosed up to 10 years after stopping injectable progestogens*
| Age at last use of DMPA | No of cases per 10,000 women who are never-users | Possible additional cases per 10,000 DMPA users |
| 20 | Less than 1 | Much less than 1 |
| 30 | 44 | 2-3 |
| 40 | 160 | 10 |
*based on use for 5 yearsâ€
Weight Gain: There is a tendency for women to gain weight while on Depo-Provera therapy. Studies indicate that over the first 1-2 years of use, average weight gain was 5-8 lbs. Women completing 4-6 years of therapy gained an average of 14-16.5 lbs. There is evidence that weight is gained as a result of increased fat and is not secondary to an anabolic effect or fluid retention.
Anaphylaxis: Reports of anaphylactic responses (anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions) have been received.
Thrombo-embolic Disorders: Should the patient experience pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular disease or retinal thrombosis while receiving Depo-Provera, the drug should not be re-administered.
Psychiatric Disorders: Patients with a history of endogenous depression should be carefully monitored. Some patients may complain of premenstrual-type depression while on Depo-Provera therapy.
Abscess formation: As with any intramuscular injection, especially if not administered correctly, there is a risk of abscess formation at the site of injection, which may require medical and/or surgical intervention.
Precautions:
History or emergence of the following conditions require careful consideration and appropriate investigation: migraine or unusually severe headaches, acute visual disturbances of any kind, pathological changes in liver function and hormone levels.
Patients with thromboembolic or coronary vascular disease should be carefully evaluated before using Depo-Provera.
A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients treated with progestogens. The mechanism for this decrease is obscure. For this reason, diabetic patients should be carefully monitored while receiving progestogen therapy.
Rare cases of thrombo-embolism have been reported with use of Depo-Provera, but causality has not been established.
The effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on lipid metabolism have been studied with no clear impact demonstrated. Both increases and decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been observed in studies.
The use of Depo-Provera appears to be associated with a 15-20% reduction in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels which may protect women from cardiovascular disease. The clinical consequences of this observation are unknown. The potential for an increased risk of coronary disease should be considered prior to use.
Doctors should carefully consider the use of Depo-Provera in patients with recent trophoblastic disease before levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin have returned to normal.
Physicians should be aware that pathologists should be informed of the patient's use of Depo-Provera if endometrial or endocervical tissue is submitted for examination.
The results of certain laboratory tests may be affected by the use of Depo-Provera. These include gonadotrophin levels (decreased), plasma progesterone levels (decreased), urinary pregnanediol levels (decreased), plasma oestrogen levels (decreased), plasma cortisol levels (decreased), glucose tolerance test, metyrapone test, liver function tests (may increase), thyroid function tests (protein bound iodine levels may increase and T3 uptake levels may decrease). Coagulation test values for prothrombin (Factor II), and Factors VII, VIII, IX and X may increase.
Women should be counselled that Depo-Provera does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV infection (AIDS). Safer sex practices including correct and consistent use of condoms reduce the transmission of STIs through sexual contact, including HIV.
The benefits of contraceptive options and their risks must be evaluated individually for each woman.
Loss of Bone Mineral Density:
Use of Embryogen reduces serum oestrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of BMD due to the known effect of oestrogen deficiency on the bone remodelling system. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use; however BMD appears to increase after Embryogen is discontinued and ovarian oestrogen production increases.
This loss of BMD is of particular concern during adolescence and early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion. It is unknown if use of Embryogen by younger women will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for fracture in later life.
A study to assess the BMD effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate IM (Embryogen, DMPA) in adolescent females showed that its use was associated with a significant decline in BMD from baseline. In the small number of women who were followed-up, mean BMD recovered to around baseline values by 1- 3 years after discontinuing treatment. In adolescents, Embryogen may be used, but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patients and considered to be unsuitable or unacceptable.
In women of all ages, careful re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of treatment should be carried out in those who wish to continue use for more than 2 years. In particular, in women with significant lifestyle and/or medical risk factors for osteoporosis, other methods of contraception should be considered prior to use of Embryogen.
Significant risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Alcohol abuse and/or tobacco use
- Chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass, e.g. anticonvulsants or corticosteroids
- Low body mass index or eating disorder, e.g. anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Previous low trauma fracture
- Family history of osteoporosis
A retrospective cohort study using data from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) reported that women using MPA injections (DMPA), have a higher risk of fracture compared with contraceptive users with no recorded use of DMPA (incident rate ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.35-1.47 for the five year follow-up period); it is not known if this is due to DMPA, or to other related lifestyle factors which have a bearing on fracture rate. By contrast, in women using DMPA, the fracture risk before and after starting DMPA was not increased (relative risk 1.08, 95% CI 0.92-1.26). Importantly, this study could not determine whether use of DMPA has an effect on fracture rate later in life.
Adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D, whether from the diet or from supplements, is important for bone health in women of all ages.
Menstrual Irregularity: The administration of Embryogen usually causes disruption of the normal menstrual cycle. Bleeding patterns include amenorrhoea (present in up to 30% of women during the first 3 months and increasing to 55% by month 12 and 68% by month 24); irregular bleeding and spotting; prolonged (>10 days) episodes of bleeding (up to 33% of women in the first 3 months of use decreasing to 12% by month 12). Rarely, heavy prolonged bleeding may occur. Evidence suggests that prolonged or heavy bleeding requiring treatment may occur in 0.5-4 occasions per 100 women years of use. If abnormal bleeding persists or is severe, appropriate investigation should take place to rule out the possibility of organic pathology and appropriate treatment should be instituted when necessary. Excessive or prolonged bleeding can be controlled by the co-administration of oestrogen. This may be delivered either in the form of a low dose (30 micrograms oestrogen) combined oral contraceptive pill or in the form of oestrogen replacement therapy such as conjugated equine oestrogen (0.625-1.25 mg daily). Oestrogen therapy may need to be repeated for 1-2 cycles. Long-term co-administration of oestrogen is not recommended.
Return to Fertility: There is no evidence that Embryogen causes permanent infertility. Pregnancies have occurred as early as 14 weeks after a preceding injection, however, in clinical trials, the mean time to return of ovulation was 5.3 months following the preceding injection. Women should be counselled that there is a potential for delay in return to full fertility following use of the method, regardless of the duration of use, however, 83% of women may be expected to conceive within 12 months of the first "missed" injection (i.e. 15 months after the last injection administered). The median time to conception was 10 months (range 4-31) after the last injection.
Cancer Risks: Long-term case-controlled surveillance of Embryogen users found no overall increased risk of ovarian, liver, or cervical cancer and a prolonged, protective effect of reducing the risk of endometrial cancer in the population of users.
Breast cancer is rare among women under 40 years of age whether or not they use hormonal contraceptives.
Results from some epidemiological studies suggest a small difference in risk of the disease in current and recent users compared with never-users. Any excess risk in current or recent DMPA users is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer, particularly in young women (see below), and is not apparent after 10 years since last use. Duration of use does not seem to be important.
Possible number of additional cases of breast cancer diagnosed up to 10 years after stopping injectable progestogens*
| Age at last use of DMPA | No of cases per 10,000 women who are never-users | Possible additional cases per 10,000 DMPA users |
| 20 | Less than 1 | Much less than 1 |
| 30 | 44 | 2-3 |
| 40 | 160 | 10 |
*based on use for 5 yearsâ€
Weight Gain: There is a tendency for women to gain weight while on Embryogen therapy. Studies indicate that over the first 1-2 years of use, average weight gain was 5-8 lbs. Women completing 4-6 years of therapy gained an average of 14-16.5 lbs. There is evidence that weight is gained as a result of increased fat and is not secondary to an anabolic effect or fluid retention.
Anaphylaxis: Reports of anaphylactic responses (anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions) have been received.
Thrombo-embolic Disorders: Should the patient experience pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular disease or retinal thrombosis while receiving Embryogen, the drug should not be re-administered.
Psychiatric Disorders: Patients with a history of endogenous depression should be carefully monitored. Some patients may complain of premenstrual-type depression while on Embryogen therapy.
Abscess formation: As with any intramuscular injection, especially if not administered correctly, there is a risk of abscess formation at the site of injection, which may require medical and/or surgical intervention.
Precautions:
History or emergence of the following conditions require careful consideration and appropriate investigation: migraine or unusually severe headaches, acute visual disturbances of any kind, pathological changes in liver function and hormone levels.
Patients with thromboembolic or coronary vascular disease should be carefully evaluated before using Embryogen.
A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients treated with progestogens. The mechanism for this decrease is obscure. For this reason, diabetic patients should be carefully monitored while receiving progestogen therapy.
Rare cases of thrombo-embolism have been reported with use of Embryogen, but causality has not been established.
The effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on lipid metabolism have been studied with no clear impact demonstrated. Both increases and decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been observed in studies.
The use of Embryogen appears to be associated with a 15-20% reduction in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels which may protect women from cardiovascular disease. The clinical consequences of this observation are unknown. The potential for an increased risk of coronary disease should be considered prior to use.
Doctors should carefully consider the use of Embryogen in patients with recent trophoblastic disease before levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin have returned to normal.
Physicians should be aware that pathologists should be informed of the patient's use of Embryogen if endometrial or endocervical tissue is submitted for examination.
The results of certain laboratory tests may be affected by the use of Embryogen. These include gonadotrophin levels (decreased), plasma progesterone levels (decreased), urinary pregnanediol levels (decreased), plasma oestrogen levels (decreased), plasma cortisol levels (decreased), glucose tolerance test, metyrapone test, liver function tests (may increase), thyroid function tests (protein bound iodine levels may increase and T3 uptake levels may decrease). Coagulation test values for prothrombin (Factor II), and Factors VII, VIII, IX and X may increase.
Women should be counselled that Embryogen does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV infection (AIDS). Safer sex practices including correct and consistent use of condoms reduce the transmission of STIs through sexual contact, including HIV.
The benefits of contraceptive options and their risks must be evaluated individually for each woman.
Depo-Provera may cause headaches and dizziness. Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if affected.
Embryogen may cause headaches and dizziness. Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if affected.
The table below provides a listing of adverse drug reactions with frequency based on all-causality data from clinical studies that enrolled more than 4200 women who received DMPA for contraception for up to 7 years. Those most frequently (>5%) reported adverse drug reactions were weight increased (69%), weight decreased (25%), headache (16%), nervousness (11%), abdominal pain or discomfort (11%), dizziness (6%), and decrease in libido (6%).
The following lists of adverse reactions are listed within the organ system classes, under headings of frequency (number of patients expected to experience the reaction), using the following categories:
Very common (>1/10)
Common (>1/100 to <1/10);
Uncommon (>1/1000 to <1/100);
Rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1000);
Very rare (<1/10,000);
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
| System Organ Class | Very Common >1/10 | Common > 1/100 to < 1/10 | Uncommon > 1/1000 to < 1/100 | Rare > 1/10,000 to < 1/1000 |
| Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (Incl. Cysts and Polyps) |
|
|
| Breast cancer
|
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
|
|
| Anaemia, Blood disorder
|
| Immune system disorders |
|
| Drug hypersensitivity | Anaphylactic reaction, Anaphylactoid reaction, Angioedema |
| Metabolism & Nutrition Disorder |
|
| Increased appetite, decreased appetite |
|
| Psychiatric disorders | Nervousness | Depression, Libido decreased | Insomnia | Anorgasmia, Emotional disturbance, Effective disorder, Irritability, Anxiety |
| Nervous system disorders | Headache | Dizziness | Seizure, Somnolence, Paraesthesia | Migraine, Paralysis, Syncope |
| Ear and Labyrinth Disorder |
|
|
| Vertigo |
| Cardiac disorder |
|
|
| Tachycardia |
| Vascular disorders |
|
| Hot flush | Embolism and thrombosis, Deep vein thrombosis, Thrombophlebitis, Hypertension, Varicose veins |
| Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders |
|
| Dyspnoea | Pulmonary embolism |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Abdominal pain, Abdominal discomfort | Nausea, Abdominal distension |
| Rectal haemorrhage, Gastrointestinal disorder
|
| Hepatobiliary disorders |
|
| Hepatic function abnormal | Jaundice, Hepatic enzyme abnormal |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
| Alopecia, Acne, Rash | Hirsutism, Urticaria, Pruritus, Chloasma | Lipodystrophy acquired*, Dermatitis, Ecchymosis, Scleroderma, Skin striae |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
| Back pain, Pain in extremity |
| Arthralgia, Muscle spasms, Osteoporosis, Osteoporotic fractures |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders |
| Vaginal discharge, Breast tenderness, Dysmenorrhea, Genitourinary tract infection | Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (irregular, increase, decrease, spotting, Galactorrhoea Pelvic pain, Dyspareunia, Suppressed lactation | Vaginitis, Amenorrhoea, Breast pain, Metrorrhagia, Menometrorrhagia, Menorrhagia,Vulvovaginal dryness, Breast atropy, Ovarian cyst, Premenstrual syndrome, Endometrial hyperplasia, Breast mass, Nipple exudate bloody, Vaginal cyst, Breast enlargement, Lack of return to fertility, Sensation of pregnancy |
| General disorders and administration site conditions |
| Odema/Fluid retention, Asthenia | Chest pain | Pyrexia, Fatigue, Injection site reaction*, Injection site persistent atrophy/indentation/dimpling*, Injection site nodule/lump*, Injection site pain/tenderness* Thirst, Dysphonia, VIIth nerve paralysis, Axillary swelling |
| Investigation | Weight increased, Weight decreased |
|
| Bone density decreased, Glucose tolerance decreased, Cervical smear abnormal |
*ADR identified post-marketing
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
No positive action is required other than cessation of therapy.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Progestogens, ATC code: G03AC06
Medroxyprogesterone acetate exerts anti-oestrogenic, anti-androgenic and antigonadotrophic effects.
Mechanism of action
DMPA, when administered parenterally at the recommended dose to women, inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins which, in turn, prevents follicular maturation and ovulation and causes thickening of cervical mucus which inhibits sperm entry into the uterus
BMD Changes in Adult Women
A study comparing changes in BMD in women using Depo-Provera with women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) showed no significant differences in BMD loss between the two groups after two years of treatment. Mean percent changes in BMD in the Depo-Provera group are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean Percent Change from Baseline in BMD in Women Using Depo-Provera by Skeletal Site
| Time on Treatment | Lumbar Spine | Total Hip | Femoral Neck | |||
| N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | |
| 1 year | 166 | -2.7 (-3.1 to -2.3) | 166 | -1.7 (-2.1 to -1.3) | 166 | -1.9 (-2.5 to -1.4) |
| 2 year | 106 | - 4.1 (-4.6 to -3.5) | 106 | -3.5 (-4.2 to -2.7) | 106 | -3.5 (-4.3 to -2.6) |
In another controlled, clinical study adult women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) for up to 5 years showed spine and hip mean BMD decreases of 5-6%, compared to no significant change in BMD in the control group. The decline in BMD was more pronounced during the first two years of use, with smaller declines in subsequent years. Mean changes in lumbar spine BMD of -2.86%, -4.11%, -4.89%, -4.93% and -5.38% after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively, were observed. Mean decreases in BMD of the total hip and femoral neck were similar. Please refer to Table 2 below for further details.
After stopping use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM), BMD increased towards baseline values during the post-therapy period. A longer duration of treatment was associated with a slower rate of BMD recovery.
Table 2. Mean Percent Change from Baseline in BMD in Adults by Skeletal Site and Cohort after 5 Years of Therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg IM and after 2 Years Post-Therapy or 7 Years of Observation (Control)
| Time in Study | Spine | Total Hip | Femoral Neck | |||
| Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | |
| 5 years* | n=33 -5.38% | n=105 0.43% | n=21 -5.16% | n=65 0.19% | n=34 -6.12% | n=106 -0.27% |
| 7 years** | n=12 -3.13% | n=60 0.53% | n=7 -1.34% | n=39 0.94% | n=13 -5.38% | n=63 -0.11% |
*The treatment group consisted of women who received medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) for 5 years and the control group consisted of women who did not use hormonal contraception for this time period.
** The treatment group consisted of women who received medroxyprogesterone acetate Injection (150 mg IM) for 5 years and were then followed up for 2 years post-use and the control group consisted of women who did not use hormonal contraceptive for 7 years.
BMD Changes in Adolescent Females (12-18 years)
Results from an open-label, non-randomised, clinical study of medroxyprogesterone acetate Injection (150 mg IM every 12 weeks for up to 240 weeks (4.6 years), followed by post-treatment measurements) in adolescent females (12-18 years) also showed that medroxyprogesterone acetate IM use was associated with a significant decline in BMD from baseline. Among subjects who received > 4 injections/60-week period, the mean decrease in lumbar spine BMD was - 2.1 % after 240 weeks (4.6 years); mean decreases for the total hip and femoral neck were -6.4 % and -5.4 %, respectively. Post-treatment follow-up showed that, based on mean values, lumbar spine BMD recovered to baseline levels approximately 1 year after treatment was discontinued and that hip BMD recovered to baseline levels approximately 3 years after treatment was discontinued. However, it is important to note that a large number of subjects discontinued from the study, therefore these results are based on a small number of subjects (n=71 at 60 weeks and n=25 at 240 weeks after treatment discontinuation). In contrast, a non-comparable cohort of unmatched, untreated subjects, with different baseline bone parameters from the DMPA users, showed mean BMD increases at 240 weeks of 6.4%, 1.7% and 1.9% for lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck, respectively.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Progestogens, ATC code: G03AC06
Medroxyprogesterone acetate exerts anti-oestrogenic, anti-androgenic and antigonadotrophic effects.
Mechanism of action
DMPA, when administered parenterally at the recommended dose to women, inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins which, in turn, prevents follicular maturation and ovulation and causes thickening of cervical mucus which inhibits sperm entry into the uterus
BMD Changes in Adult Women
A study comparing changes in BMD in women using Embryogen with women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) showed no significant differences in BMD loss between the two groups after two years of treatment. Mean percent changes in BMD in the Embryogen group are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean Percent Change from Baseline in BMD in Women Using Embryogen by Skeletal Site
| Time on Treatment | Lumbar Spine | Total Hip | Femoral Neck | |||
| N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | N | Mean % Change (95% CI) | |
| 1 year | 166 | -2.7 (-3.1 to -2.3) | 166 | -1.7 (-2.1 to -1.3) | 166 | -1.9 (-2.5 to -1.4) |
| 2 year | 106 | - 4.1 (-4.6 to -3.5) | 106 | -3.5 (-4.2 to -2.7) | 106 | -3.5 (-4.3 to -2.6) |
In another controlled, clinical study adult women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) for up to 5 years showed spine and hip mean BMD decreases of 5-6%, compared to no significant change in BMD in the control group. The decline in BMD was more pronounced during the first two years of use, with smaller declines in subsequent years. Mean changes in lumbar spine BMD of -2.86%, -4.11%, -4.89%, -4.93% and -5.38% after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively, were observed. Mean decreases in BMD of the total hip and femoral neck were similar. Please refer to Table 2 below for further details.
After stopping use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM), BMD increased towards baseline values during the post-therapy period. A longer duration of treatment was associated with a slower rate of BMD recovery.
Table 2. Mean Percent Change from Baseline in BMD in Adults by Skeletal Site and Cohort after 5 Years of Therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg IM and after 2 Years Post-Therapy or 7 Years of Observation (Control)
| Time in Study | Spine | Total Hip | Femoral Neck | |||
| Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | Medroxyprogesterone acetate | Control | |
| 5 years* | n=33 -5.38% | n=105 0.43% | n=21 -5.16% | n=65 0.19% | n=34 -6.12% | n=106 -0.27% |
| 7 years** | n=12 -3.13% | n=60 0.53% | n=7 -1.34% | n=39 0.94% | n=13 -5.38% | n=63 -0.11% |
*The treatment group consisted of women who received medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (150 mg IM) for 5 years and the control group consisted of women who did not use hormonal contraception for this time period.
** The treatment group consisted of women who received medroxyprogesterone acetate Injection (150 mg IM) for 5 years and were then followed up for 2 years post-use and the control group consisted of women who did not use hormonal contraceptive for 7 years.
BMD Changes in Adolescent Females (12-18 years)
Results from an open-label, non-randomised, clinical study of medroxyprogesterone acetate Injection (150 mg IM every 12 weeks for up to 240 weeks (4.6 years), followed by post-treatment measurements) in adolescent females (12-18 years) also showed that medroxyprogesterone acetate IM use was associated with a significant decline in BMD from baseline. Among subjects who received > 4 injections/60-week period, the mean decrease in lumbar spine BMD was - 2.1 % after 240 weeks (4.6 years); mean decreases for the total hip and femoral neck were -6.4 % and -5.4 %, respectively. Post-treatment follow-up showed that, based on mean values, lumbar spine BMD recovered to baseline levels approximately 1 year after treatment was discontinued and that hip BMD recovered to baseline levels approximately 3 years after treatment was discontinued. However, it is important to note that a large number of subjects discontinued from the study, therefore these results are based on a small number of subjects (n=71 at 60 weeks and n=25 at 240 weeks after treatment discontinuation). In contrast, a non-comparable cohort of unmatched, untreated subjects, with different baseline bone parameters from the DMPA users, showed mean BMD increases at 240 weeks of 6.4%, 1.7% and 1.9% for lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck, respectively.
Parenteral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is a long acting progestational steroid. The long duration of action results from its slow absorption from the injection site. Immediately after injection of 150 mg/ml MPA, plasma levels were 1.7 ± 0.3 nmol/l. Two weeks later, levels were 6.8 ± 0.8 nmol/l. Concentrations fell to the initial levels by the end of 12 weeks. At lower doses, plasma levels of MPA appear directly related to the dose administered. Serum accumulation over time was not demonstrated. MPA is eliminated via faecal and urinary excretion. Plasma half-life is about six weeks after a single intramuscular injection. At least 11 metabolites have been reported. All are excreted in the urine, some, but not all, conjugated.
No data held.
Not applicable.
No special requirements for disposal.
However, we will provide data for each active ingredient
