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SIDE EFFECTS

Many women experience all kinds of awful side effects when they use Depo. This information on side effects and post-use effects can be found in the October 2018 Product Monograph.  

DEPO-PROVERA is indicated for: 1. conception control (prevention of pregnancy) 2. treatment of endometriosis DEPO-PROVERA should be used only if other treatments have been considered to be unsuitable or unacceptable and should be used for the shortest period of time possible. It should be taken into consideration that the return to fertility following treatment with DEPO-PROVERA may be delayed (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, General and also WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Sexual Function/Reproduction). Since loss of bone mineral density (BMD) may occur in females of child-bearing potential who use DEPO-PROVERA long-term (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS), a risk/benefit assessment, which also takes into consideration the decrease in BMD that occurs during pregnancy and/or lactation, should be considered. The risks and benefits of treatment should be carefully reevaluated on a regular basis in all users of this drug. Although there are no studies addressing whether calcium and vitamin D may lessen bone mineral density (BMD) loss in women using DEPO-PROVERA, all patients should have adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Cessation of smoking and regular weight bearing exercise should be discussed with all patients. 

Side effects found in the Product Monograph:

  • Loss of Bone Mineral Density [Osteoporosis]
  • Hypertension
  • Thromboembolic Disorders
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Fluid Retention
  • Weight Changes
  • Irregular Menstrual Patterns
  • Excessive Bleeding or Amenorrhea
  • Hematologic
  • Anaphylactic Reactions
  • CNS Disorders and Convulsions
  • Migraine and Headache
  • Increased Risk of Stroke
  • Sudden Partial or Complete Loss of Vision
  • Delayed Return of Fertility
  • Ectopic Pregnancy
  • Abdominal Discomfort
  • Headache
  • Abdominal Distress
  • Nervousness
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased Libido
  • Asthenia
  • Limb Pain & Varicose Vein Pain
  • Nausea
  • Vaginal Discharge
  • Breast Swelling & Tenderness
  • Bloating
  • Edema Peripheral
  • Backache
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Depression
  • Acne
  • Pruritus Vulvae
  • No Hair Growth, Alopecia
  • Rash
  • Hot Flash
  • Insomnia
  • Genitourinary Infection
  • Eye Discomfort
  • Anorexia
  • Increased Appetite
  • Chest Pain
  • Dysuria
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Galactorrhea
  • Pruritus
  • D&C for Bleeding
  • Pain
  • Somnolence Drowsiness
  • Dyspareunia
  • Dyspnea
  • Abdominal Swelling
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Chloasma
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Altered Liver Function
  • Hirsutism
  • Frequency Urination
  • Sensory Disturbances

​For even more side effects, see the Product Monograph.

POST-MARKET ADVERSE REACTIONS

The Product Monograph then lists these possible reactions:
​
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: hemolytic anemia, hemorrhagic disorder, sickle cell crisis, splenic infarction, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Bone mineral density: Osteoporosis including osteoporotic fractures    
 
Cardiac disorders: bradycardia, myocardial infarction, palpitations, pericarditis, possible exacerbation of prolonged QT interval syndrome (with fatal outcome), supraventricular tachycardia
 
Congenital and familial/genetic disorders: acute porphyria, in cases of failure of contraception: Trisomy 21, Trisomy 16, Turner’s syndrome
 
Ear and labyrinth disorders: change in hearing, tinnitus, vertigo
 
Endocrine disorders: adrenal dysfunction NOS, Cushingoid, estrogen deficiency, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis
 
Eye disorders: macular edema, optic ischemic neuropathy, optic neuritis, papilloedema, ptosis, retinal vein occlusion, vision loss, visual changes
 
Gastrointestinal disorders: acute pancreatitis, dysphagia, intestinal infarction, mouth ulceration, oral mucosal blistering, salivary gland enlargement
 
General disorders and administration site conditions: fatigue, injection site reactions (including swelling, rash, ulcer, necrosis, edema, infection, abscess), malaise, sudden infant death syndrome (exposure-in utero)
 
Hepatobiliary disorders: Cholangitis, cholelithiasis, gallbladder disorder, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, obstructive jaundice, hepatic failure (with fatal outcome)
 
Injury, poisoning, and procedural complications: exposure in utero: abnormal genitalia, anencephaly, cleft palate, congenital adenomatoid malformation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart defects, congenital megacolon, ear malformation NOS, esophageal atresia, hydrocephalus, hypospadias, limb deformity, microcephaly, polydactyly, single umbilical artery, skull malformation, spina bifida, Talipes, tracheoesophageal fistula
 
Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction (with fatal outcome in rare cases), hypersensitivity
 
Infections and infestations: salpingitis, sepsis, vulval abscess 
 
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: cachexia, excessive thirst

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders: joint swelling, muscle weakness, myalgia, osteonecrosis
 
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified: acute leukemia, benign breast neoplasm, benignhydatidiform mole, fibroadenoma of breast, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney neoplasm, malignantmelanoma, meningioma, neurofibroma, ovarian cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, uterine leiomyoma
 
Nervous system disorders: amnesia, anosmia, ataxia, balance disorder, benign intracranial hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia/infarct, cerebral venous thrombosis,  cerebrovascular accident, confusion, dysarthria, dysgeusia, memory loss, migraine, myoclonus, Parkinsonism, seizures, speech disorder, stroke (with fatal outcome), third nerve palsy, transient ischemic attack, tremor

Pregnancy, peurperium and perinatal conditions: exposure-in-utero: antepartum hemorrhage, blighted ovum, ectopic pregnancy, fetal hydrops, intrauterine growth retardation, missed abortion, polyhydramnios, prematurity, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth
 
Psychiatric disorders: acute psychosis, agitation, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dysphemia, eating disorder, irritability, mood swings, paranoia, suicidality
 
Renal and urinary disorders: interstitial nephritis, nephrolithiasis, nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria, renal infarct, urinary retention
 
Reproductive system and breast disorders: cervical dysplasia, fibrocystic breast disease, menorrhagia, ovarian cyst, premature menopause, uterine cyst, vaginal dysplasia, vaginal mucosal blistering
 
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchospasm, epistaxis, laryngeal edema, laryngospasm, oropharyngeal swelling

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: angioedema, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, facial edema, porphyria aggravated
 
Vascular disorders: arterial thrombosis, embolism, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, postural hypotension, venous thrombosis (including rare cases with fatal outcome)

READ the Product Monograph  

Depo-Provera is a registered Trademark of Pfizer. This website is for educational purposes only.Please see a medical professional regarding all health concerns.
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