Like all medicines, medroxyprogesterone tablets can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These common side effects of medroxyprogesterone tablets happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Talk to your doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling sick (nausea)
Try taking your tablets with food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food.
If it does not go away or is severe, tell your doctor. They may be able to prescribe an extra medicine to help with feeling sick.
Irregular bleeding or spotting between periods
If you take medroxyprogesterone in cycles, make sure you're taking your tablets on the correct days.
If this side effect carries on, speak to your doctor. You may need to change your dose.
Putting on weight
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise will help you keep to a healthy weight.
Breast tenderness
Try to wear a well-fitting and comfortable bra.
Feeling nervous or depressed
Talk to your doctor if you have problems with mood changes and it does not improve.
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Avoid having a big meal, smoking, or drinking alcohol, tea or coffee in the evening. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Instead, try to relax for an hour before bedtime.
Higher body temperature
It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks.
If you have a high temperature and feel unwell, speak to your doctor.
If you're taking it for hot flushes and you get this side effect, speak to your doctor. You may need to change to a different medicine.
Feeling dizzy
Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling dizzy.
Feeling tired
Try to get plenty of rest. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
Itchy skin
It may help to take an antihistamine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.
Acne
Wash with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics. Speak to a pharmacist for advice about treating acne.
Hair loss
Thinning hair or mild hair loss can be stressful but it is not usually a sign of anything to worry about. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're concerned. Some hair loss treatments are available.
Changes to vaginal discharge
Changes including an increase in vaginal discharge are common and are not usually anything to worry about. Talk to your doctor if your discharge changes in smell, colour or texture, as it might be a sign of an infection.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Speak to your doctor or call 111 straight away if you get pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm – this could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you're suddenly short of breath or get a sharp pain in your chest and a cough, or you're coughing up blood – these may be signs of a blood clot in your lungs
- you lose vision suddenly in one or both eyes – this could be a sign of a blood clot
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to medroxyprogesterone tablets.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of medroxyprogesterone tablets. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.