Medroxyprogesterone tablets

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is the active ingredient in medroxyprogesterone oral tablets, which are an artificial form of natural progesterone.

Medroxyprogesterone 10mg oral tablets are commonly prescribed off label to temporarily delay periods, usually for special events like travel, exams, or weddings. Your period should return within 3 days after you stop taking the tablets.

In some cases, medroproxyprogesterone acetate can be used to manage menstrual cycle problems, like heavy and irregular periods, endometriosis, and cancers like renal, breast, and endometrial cancers. They can also be used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to balance oestrogen and protect the womb lining.

During the second half of your menstrual cycle, your natural progesterone levels drop causing your womb lining to shed and causing the normal period bleed. Medroxyprogesterone tablets work by replacing this drop in progesterone levels, preventing the womb lining from shedding and delaying the period bleed until 3 days after you stop taking the tablets.

How effective is medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone tablets are regularly successfully and safely prescribed off-label by doctors to delay periods, and are most effective when taken:

• as prescribed – 10mg tablets to be taken three times a day from 3 days before your period is due
• by women with regular menstrual cycles
• at least 3 days before your period is supposed to start

Due to the fact that medroxyprogesterone tablets are prescribed off-label to delay periods, they have not been tested in clinical trials for this purpose very much. There is research that shows around 60% of people were satisfied when using medroxyprogesterone for abnormal womb bleeding. This study only applies to people with abnormal bleeding though, so it’s not clear if the satisfaction rate would be higher for people using this medication to prevent normal bleeding. It is possible it could be more effective.

It is important to take medroxyprogesterone tablets as prescribed by your doctor for period delay. Speak to your doctor if you are not sure about how and when to take it.

When to take medroxyprogesterone

You should take medroxyprogesterone tablets at least 3 days before your period is supposed to start.

How much medroxyprogesterone to take (dosage)

To delay your period, you should take one 10mg medroxyprogesterone tablet three times daily starting at least 3 days before your period begins. Your doctor would prescribe this dosage for the amount of time you would like to delay your period, up to 30 days in a row.

For how long can you delay your period with medroxyprogesterone tablets?

Most women delay their periods for about 7 to 14 days with medroxyprogesterone tablets, but this can be extended up to 30 days. In these cases, when used for period delay for longer than 14 days, there is a higher risk of unexpected spotting and breakthrough bleeding.

If you would like to delay your period for longer than 30 days, or regularly avoid your monthly cycle, speak to your doctor about alternative options like the contraceptive pill.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take your medroxyprogesterone tablet, take the tablet as soon as you remember, and carry on taking the other tablets at the normal times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you miss several doses, you may experience unexpected spotting and breakthrough bleeding due to a drop in your progesterone levels.

Like other medications, medroxyprogesterone oral tablets may cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Usually, these side effects should improve after a few days or weeks of taking the tablets, to give your body time to adjust to the medicine. Speak to your doctor for advice if you are struggling with any side effects or they are not improving.

Very common medroxyprogesterone side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are:

• headache
• feeling sick
• unexpected or unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting

Common medroxyprogesterone side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:

• severe allergic reaction to the drug, like wheezing or difficulty breathing
• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• nervousness
• dizziness
• hair loss
• acne
• nettle rash or hives
• itchy skin
• vaginal discharge
• breast pain
• breast tenderness
• fever
• tiredness
• weight increase

Uncommon medroxyprogesterone side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:

• facial hair growth
• milky discharge from the breast when not pregnant or breastfeeding
• oedema or fluid retention

Unknown medroxyprogesterone side effects (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) are:

• severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction)
• swelling in the face or throat which may cause difficulty breathing
• delayed egg release with longer menstrual cycle (periods)
• drowsiness
• swelling in the veins due to blood clots
• tenderness or swelling in your calf, ankle, or foot
• rash
• stopping or extended break of your periods
• abnormality of cervix
• decreased sugar tolerance
• weight loss

If you experience any of the following serious side effects when taking medroxyprogesterone tablets, stop taking it and seek immediate medical attention:

• symptoms of a severe allergic reaction like sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash, or itching all over the body
• pain, swelling, or redness in your legs, which may be symptoms of a blood clot in your leg
• chest pain, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, which may be symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs
• symptoms of a stroke – weakness in your arms or legs or your face has dropped on one side

The full list of known medroxyprogesterone side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet included with your medication.

What to do if you get medroxyprogesterone side effects

A few things you can do to help manage medroxyprogesterone side effects are:

• headaches – increase your water intake, reduce or avoid alcohol, and take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, and if they persist or become severe, speak to your doctor
• nausea (feeling sick) – try taking your tablets with food, eat plain foods, and avoid food triggers like spicy or greasy foods
• feeling tired or dizzy – stop and sit or lie down until you feel better, and avoid drinking alcohol as you may feel worse
• itching or mild rash – try over-the-counter antihistamines and speak to your doctor if there is no improvement
• acne – avoid cosmetics, use mild soap and water to wash, and speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on acne treatment
• unexpected spotting or bleeding – make sure you take your tablets at least 3 days before your expected periods and try to continue taking them at the same time daily

Speak to your doctor if you are unable to manage any side effects at home or if they are getting worse.

Medroxyprogesterone tablets may not be right for everyone. Certain conditions or medications can interact with medroxyprogesterone and make it less effective, or potentially unsafe.

Do not take medroxyprogesterone tablets if you:

• are allergic to medroxyprogesterone acetate or other similar hormone medications, or to any of its other ingredients
• are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant or breastfeeding
• have now or have had breast cancer
• have now or have had blood clots forming in your veins
• have now or have had blood clots forming in your arteries
• have liver problems
• have porphyria – where your body lacks the ability to correctly produce certain enzymes and it manifests with either neurological complications or skin problems

Tell your doctor before taking medroxyprogesterone tablets if you have or have ever had any of the following conditions to help them decide if it is still suitable and safe for you:

• epilepsy
• migraine headaches
• asthma
• heart problems
• kidney problems
• diabetes
• a meningioma – a usually non-cancerous tumour on the brain or spinal cord
• depression or a history of depression
• high blood pressure
• liver problems
• gallstones
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• hearing problems

Medroxyprogesterone and other medications

You should tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking before starting medroxyprogesterone tablets, including any herbal or over-the-counter medications.

Medroxyprogesterone tablets may affect how well some medications work, and some medications may also affect them, making them less effective.

Before taking medroxyprogesterone tablets, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:

• aminoglutethimide, sometimes used in Cushing’s syndrome
• medications for thinning the blood, like warfarin
• medications for treating convulsions, like phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine
• ritonavir and nelfinavir, sometimes used to treat HIV and AIDS
• medications for treating infections, like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, and favirenz
• St John’s wort, a herbal treatment for depression and anxiety

The full list of known medroxyprogesterone warnings and drug interactions can be found in the patient information leaflet included with your medication pack.

You can request medroxyprogesterone tablets online from UK-registered providers like ASDA Online Doctor. Simply complete our brief online consultation form for one of our doctors to review and check if the treatment is suitable for you. If it is right for you, our doctors will prescribe the treatment, and we can deliver it to your door.

Can I buy medroxyprogesterone over the counter?

No, you cannot buy medroxyprogesterone tablets over the counter as it is a prescription-only medicine. A doctor needs to first check if it is suitable and safe for you before prescribing it.

Can I get medroxyprogesterone on the NHS?

Yes, medroxyprogesterone is available on the NHS. Your GP can prescribe it off-label as a period delay tablet. You will need to book an appointment with your GP first to check if it is suitable for you.

If medroxyprogesterone tablets are not suitable for you, there are other options for delaying your period, including norethisterone and the contraceptive pill.

Norethisterone – which is also available as Utovlan, is licensed for use as period delay tablets, and is also a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It also works to keep the womb lining from shedding and causing a period bleed. To delay your period, you should take one tablet 3 times a day at least 3 days before your period is due to start.

Contraceptive pill – this can be used as both a contraceptive option and to delay periods. The combined contraceptive pill can be taken back to back for 2 or 3 cycles without a 7-day break to delay your period.

Medroxyprogesterone vs norethisterone

The main difference is that norethisterone tablets are a licensed medication for period delay, while medroxyprogesterone tablets are not, but they can be prescribed off-label for period delay. Both medications are effective and safe if approved by a doctor.

They are both synthetic forms of the hormone progesterone and can both be prescribed by your doctor to delay your periods. They both work in a similar way by keeping progesterone levels high enough to avoid shedding of the womb lining leading to a period bleed. They both need to be taken at least 3 days before your expected period to work effectively for period delay.

Medroxyprogesterone is known to have a lower risk for developing blood clots compared to norethisterone, making it a safer option in women over 35, smokers and those at higher risk of developing blood clots.

What is medroxyprogesterone used for?

Medroxyprogesterone oral tablets are used to treat several conditions including endometriosis and managing heavy, irregular periods. Medroxyprogesterone 10mg oral tablets are commonly prescribed off label to temporarily delay periods usually for special events like travel, exams, or weddings.

How soon after stopping the tablets will my period start?

After you stop your period delay tablets, your period should return within 3 days.

Can medroxyprogesterone be used as a form of contraception?

Medroxyprogesterone tablets are not a form of contraception. You can get pregnant when taking them so you should use alternative contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy.

Is it safe to use if I am already on the contraceptive pill?

No. You should not use period delay tablets like medroxyprogesterone while already on the contraceptive pill as it may disrupt your hormonal balance. Speak to your doctor for advice if you are taking the contraceptive pill and want to delay your period. You can usually take the combined contraceptive pill back to back for 2 or 3 cycles to delay your period.

Can I use medroxyprogesterone tablets to stop a period that has already started?

No, if your period has already started, medroxyprogesterone tablets will not work effectively to delay it. You need to make sure to take your tablets at least 3 days before you expect your period to begin for it to work effectively.

Does medroxyprogesterone affect my regular cycle?

Yes. Taking medroxyprogesterone tablets for period delay postpones your regular cycle until after you stop taking it. Your period, and the start of your next regular cycle, should return within 3 days of stopping the tablets.

Is medroxyprogesterone the same as Provera?

Yes. They both contain medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. They are both used off-label as period delay tablets and are taken the same way. Provera is just a branded version of the generic medroxyprogesterone oral tablets.