Adverse Reactions –(See WARNINGS for possible adverse effects on the fetus) –breakthrough bleeding –spotting –change in menstrual flow –amenorrhea –headache –nervousness –dizziness –edema –change in weight (increase or decrease) –changes in cervical erosion and cervical secretions –cholestatic jaundice, including neonatal jaundice –breast tenderness and galactorrhea –skin sensitivity reactions consisting of urticaria, pruritus, edema and generalized rash –acne, alopecia and hirsutism –rash (allergic) with and without pruritis –anaphylactoid reactions and anaphylaxis –mental depression –pyrexia –fatigue –insomnia –nausea –somnolence In a few instances there have been undesirable sequelae at the site of injection, such as residual lump, change in color of skin, or sterile abscess. A statistically significant association has been demonstrated between use of estrogen-progestin combination drugs and pulmonary embolism and cerebral thrombosis and embolism. For this reason patients on progestin therapy should be carefully observed. There is also evidence suggestive of an association with neuro-ocular lesions, e.g. retinal thrombosis and optic neuritis. The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving estrogen-progestin combination drugs: –rise in blood pressure in susceptible individuals –premenstrual syndrome –changes in libido –changes in appetite –cystitis-like syndrome –headache –nervousness –fatigue –backache –hirsutism –loss of scalp hair –erythema multiforma –erythema nodosum –hemorrhagic eruption –itching –dizziness The following laboratory results may be altered by the use of estrogen-progestin combination drugs: –increased sulfobromophthalein retention and other hepatic function tests –coagulation tests: increase in prothrombin factors VII, VIII, IX, and X –metyrapone test –pregnanediol determinations –thyroid function: increase in PBI, and butanol extractable protein bound iodine and decrease in T3 uptake values Here are the drug facts on it:(this is what the doctors get to know but you don't always) Warnings 1. Pregnancy The use of progestational drugs during the first four months of pregnancy is not recommended. Progestational agents have been used beginning with the first trimester of pregnancy in attempts to prevent abortion but there is no evidence that such use is effective. Furthermore, the use of progestational agents, with their uterine-relaxant properties, in patients with fertilized defective ova may cause a delay in spontaneous abortion. 2. Intrauterine Exposure Several reports suggest an association between intrauterine exposure to progestational drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy and genital abnormalities in male and female fetuses. The risk of hypospadias (5 to 8 per 1,000 male births in the general population) may be approximately doubled with exposure to these drugs. There are insufficient data to quantify the risk to exposed female fetuses, but insofar as some of these drugs induce mild virilization of the external genitalia of the female fetus, and because of the increased association of hypospadias in the male fetus, it is prudent to avoid the use of these drugs during the first trimester of pregnancy. If the patient is exposed to Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension during the first four months of pregnancy or if she becomes pregnant while taking this drug, she should be apprised of the potential risks to the fetus. 3. Thromboembolic Disorders The physician should be alert to the earliest manifestations of thrombotic disorder (thrombophlebitis, cerebrovascular disorder, pulmonary embolism, and retinal thrombosis). Should any of these occur or be suspected, the drug should be discontinued immediately. 4. Ocular Disorders Medication should be discontinued pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision, or if there is a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, medication should be withdrawn. 5. Lactation Detectable amounts of drug have been identified in the milk of mothers receiving progestational drugs. The effect of this on the nursing infant has not been determined. 6. Multi-dose Use Multi-dose use of DEPOPROVERA Sterile Aqueous Suspension from a single vial requires special care to avoid contamination. Although initially sterile, any multi-dose use of vials may lead to contamination unless strict aseptic technique is observed. Precautions 1. Physical Examination It is good medical practice for all women to have annual history and physical examinations, including women using Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension. The physical examination, however, may be deferred until after initiation of Depo-Provera if requested by the woman and judged appropriate by the clinician. The physical examination should include special reference to blood pressure, breasts, abdomen and pelvic organs, including cervical cytology and relevant laboratory tests. In case of undiagnosed, persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, appropriate measures should be conducted to rule out malignancy. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer or who have breast nodules should be monitored with particular care. 2. Fluid Retention Because progestational drugs may cause some degree of fluid retention, conditions which might be influenced by this condition, such as epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac or renal dysfunction, require careful observation. 3. Vaginal Bleeding In cases of breakthrough bleeding, as in all cases of irregular bleeding per vaginum, nonfunctional causes should be borne in mind and adequate diagnostic measures undertaken. 4. Depression Patients who have a history of psychic depression should be carefully observed and the drug discontinued if the depression recurs to a serious degree. 5. Masking of Climacteric The age of the patient constitutes no absolute limiting factor although treatment with progestin may mask the onset of the climacteric. 6. Use with Estrogen Studies of the addition of a progestin product to an estrogen replacement regimen for seven or more days of a cycle of estrogen administration have reported a lowered incidence of endometrial hyperplasia. Morphological and biochemical studies of endometrial suggest that 10–13 days of a progestin are needed to provide maximal maturation of the endometrium and to eliminate any hyperplastic changes. Whether this will provide protection from endometrial carcinoma has not been clearly established. There are possible risks which may be associated with the inclusion of progestin in estrogen replacement regimen, including adverse effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The dosage used may be important in minimizing these adverse effects. A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in a small percentage of patients on estrogen-progestin combination treatment. The mechanism of this decrease is obscure. For this reason, diabetic patients should be carefully observed while receiving such therapy. 7. Prolonged Use The effect of prolonged use of Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension at the recommended doses on pituitary, ovarian, adrenal, hepatic, and uterine function is not known. 8. Multi-dose Use When multi-dose vials are used, special care to prevent contamination of the contents is essential. There is some evidence that benzalkonium chloride is not an adequate antiseptic for sterilizing Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension multi-dose vials. A povidone-iodine solution or similar product is recommended to cleanse the vial top prior to aspiration of contents. (See WARNINGS) DRUG INTERACTIONS Aminoglutethimide administered concomitantly with Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension may significantly depress the serum concentrations of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Depo-Provera users should be warned of the possibility of decreased efficacy with the use of this or any related drugs. LABORATORY TEST INTERACTIONS The pathologist should be advised of progestin therapy when relevant specimens are submitted. The following laboratory tests may be affected by progestins including Depo-Provera Sterile Aqueous Suspension: a) Plasma and urinary steroid levels are decreased (e.g. progesterone, estradiol, pregnanediol, testosterone, cortisol). b) Gonadotropin levels are decreased. c) Sex-hormone binding globulin concentrations are decreased. d) Protein bound iodine and butanol extractable protein bound iodine may increase. T3 uptake values may decrease. e) Coagulation test values for prothrombin (Factor II), and Factors VII, VIII, IX, and X may increase. f) Sulfobromophthalein and other liver function test values may be increased. g) The effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on lipid metabolism are inconsistent. Both increases and decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have been observed in studies. CARCINOGENESIS, MUTAGENESIS, IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY Long-term intramuscular administration of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has been shown to produce mammary tumors in beagle dogs. There is no evidence of a carcinogenic effect associated with the oral administration of MPA to rats and mice. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was not mutagenic in a battery of in vitro or in vivo genetic toxicity assays. Medroxyprogesterone acetate at high doses is an anti-fertility drug and high doses would be expected to impair fertility until the cessation of treatment.

i took depo for three months and i swear, it ruined my life. if i had to take on lousy little pill everyday instead of taking the fast way out, i defenately would have. i gained sooo much weight, have anger tantrums, and have my period for three months after i was off of it. and when i got off, i started having vertigo really bad.