Also indexed as: Cycrin, Depo-Provera, Provera
Medroxyprogesterone is a semisynthetic compound that differs in structure from the
naturally occurring human hormone
progesterone. It is added to estrogen replacement therapy to prevent uterine cancer caused
by unopposed estrogen. It is also used to treat absence of menstrual bleeding (amenorrhea) and
abnormal menstrual bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone is available alone and in a combination
product. An injection product is used for contraception.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Folic acid
Magnesium
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Zinc
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Vitamin A and folic acid
In a one-year study of predominantly malnourished women in India and Thailand,
medroxyprogesterone used for contraception was associated with increased blood levels of
vitamin A and folic acid.1 The clinical meaning of these changes remains
unclear.
Zinc and magnesium
In a group of 37 postmenopausal women treated with conjugated estrogens and
medroxyprogesterone for 12 months, urinary zinc and magnesium loss was reduced in those women
who began the study with signs of osteoporosis
and elevated zinc and magnesium excretion.2 The clinical significance of this
interaction remains unclear.
Vitamin
D
In a study of postmenopausal women, treatment with estrogen alone increased vitamin D blood
levels, whereas estrogen plus medroxyprogesterone lowered vitamin D back to the level seen
without estrogen use.3 This outcome might suggest that medroxyprogesterone
interferes with beneficial effects estrogen may have on vitamin D metabolism and vitamin D
supplementation would be called for. However, some research has not found the addition of
vitamin D to estrogen/progestin combinations to be helpful.4 Therefore, while many
doctors recommend 400 IU vitamin D to women taking estrogen/progestin combination hormone
products, the efficacy of such supplementation has not been proven.
References:1. Joshi UM, Virkar KD, Amatayakul K, et al. Impact of hormonal
contraceptives vis-a-vis non-hormonal factors on the vitamin status of malnourished women in
India and Thailand. World Health Organization: Special Programme of Research, Development and
Research Training in Human Reproduction. Task Force on Oral Contraceptives. Hum Nutr Clin
Nutr 1986;40:205–20.
2. Herzberg M, Lusky A, Blonder J, Frenkel. The effect of estrogen
replacement therapy on zinc in serum and urine. Obstet Gynecol
1996;87:1035–40.
3. Bikle DD, Halloran BP, Harris ST, Portale AA. Progestin antagonism of
estrogen stimulated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
1992;75:519–23.
4. Komulainen M, Tuppurainen MT, Kroger H, et al. Vitamin D and HRT: no
benefit additional to that of HRT alone in prevention of bone loss in early postmenopausal
women. A 2.5-year randomized placebo-controlled study. Osteoporosis Int
1997;7:126–32.