Drugs Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Medroxyprogesterone Subcutaneous Injection Dosage
For preventing pregnancy or relieving symptoms of endometriosis with medroxyprogesterone subcutaneous injection, the standard dosage is 104 mg injected just under the skin every 12 to 14 weeks. It is important that you are not pregnant when receiving this shot. Also, you should not use this medicine for longer than two years, unless absolutely necessary.
There is only one standard dose of medroxyprogesterone subcutaneous injection (depo-subQ Provera 104®), regardless of your weight, other medical conditions, or the reason you are using it.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
The standard dose of medroxyprogesterone subcutaneous injection for preventing pregnancy and for relieving pain caused by endometriosis is 104 mg every 3 months (every 12 to 14 weeks). The first injection should only be given at a time when pregnancy is not a possibility. These times include:
- The first five days of the menstrual period
- The sixth week after birth in women who are breastfeeding.
Medroxyprogesterone subcutaneous injection is most effective if given every 12 to 14 weeks. If more than 14 weeks have passed since the last shot, pregnancy should be ruled out again before another shot is given.
If you are switching from another form of birth control to medroxyprogesterone subcutaneous injection, your healthcare provider will determine when you should receive your first shot to ensure you have continuous birth control coverage. For example, you may receive your first shot:
- Within seven days of taking the last active birth control pill, if switching from combination oral birth control (birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin)
- Within seven days of removing the birth control patch or ring, if switching from these methods of birth control
- When your next shot is due, if switching from Depo-Provera® (medroxyprogesterone intramuscular injection).
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD