Medroxyprogesterone Acetate/Conjugated Estrogens (Oral)

Meroxyprogesterone acetate is often combined with conjugated estrogens in hormone pills. These pills are prescribed to post-menopausal women in order to help them maintain the same hormonal balance that they had prior to menopause. It is taken orally once a day; patients should take it at the same time every day.

Side Effects/Warnings

Women who take daily hormone pills are at increased risk for heart disease, especially heart attack or stroke. In order to lower their risks, women should quit smoking prior to beginning the use of this medication.

This medication also causes higher incidence of breast cancer among post-menopausal women. Older women who take it every day are more likely to suffer from memory problems and senile dementia than women who do not take it.