Comprehensive medication guide to Depo-Provera including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 copay for most patients with ACA-compliant commercial insurance or Medicaid, where it is covered as a required no-cost-sharing contraceptive; Medicare Part D typically covers generic but not brand; some non-ACA plans may charge $10–$30.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$100–$150 retail for brand-name Depo-Provera; $55–$130 for generic medroxyprogesterone acetate injection; as low as $31–$65 with GoodRx or SingleCare discount cards at participating pharmacies or clinics for a single injection (every 3 months).
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) injectable suspension, a synthetic progestin contraceptive given as an intramuscular injection once every 3 months (13 weeks). It is manufactured by Pfizer and has been FDA-approved for contraceptive use since 1992. Approximately 1 in 4 sexually active women in the United States has used the shot at some point.
Generic versions (medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, 150 mg/mL) are FDA-approved and therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name product. A subcutaneous self-injectable formulation, Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (104 mg/0.65 mL), is also available for home administration.
In December 2025, the FDA approved a significant label update adding a meningioma (brain tumor) warning for long-term use. This is a new and important safety consideration that all current and potential users should discuss with their healthcare provider.
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Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy through three complementary mechanisms. The primary mechanism is suppression of ovulation: medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from the pituitary gland, preventing follicular maturation and the LH surge needed for ovulation. Without ovulation, fertilization cannot occur.
As a secondary mechanism, MPA thickens cervical mucus, creating a physical barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the uterus. It also causes endometrial thinning, making the uterine lining less hospitable to implantation. Together, these three actions make Depo-Provera more than 99% effective when administered on schedule.
Following a 150 mg IM injection, MPA peaks at 1–7 ng/mL approximately 3 weeks post-injection and becomes undetectable between 120–200 days after administration. This prolonged presence in the body is why a single injection provides 13 weeks of protection—and why return to fertility after stopping is delayed 6–18 months.
150 mg/mL — intramuscular injectable suspension
Standard contraceptive dose — administered every 13 weeks (3 months) by deep IM injection into gluteal or deltoid muscle by a healthcare professional
104 mg/0.65 mL — subcutaneous injectable suspension
Depo-SubQ Provera 104 — lower dose for subcutaneous self-injection every 13 weeks; FDA-approved for contraception and endometriosis-associated pelvic pain
Depo-Provera is not on the FDA's Drug Shortage Database in 2026. The national supply of medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is generally intact, with Pfizer supplying both the brand and a generic under the Prasco label. However, availability varies significantly by location—some pharmacies in rural and low-density areas don't keep it on their shelves, and many patients receive the injection at a clinic or OB/GYN office rather than through a retail pharmacy.
Findability challenges are primarily structural: chain pharmacies use demand-based ordering and may not stock injectables with low local turnover. Planned Parenthood and Title X clinics tend to have the most consistent supply. Generic medroxyprogesterone acetate injection is often more widely available than brand-name Depo-Provera.
Use medfinder to search pharmacies near you that have the injection in stock. medfinder contacts pharmacies on your behalf and sends you results by text.
Depo-Provera is not a controlled substance, so no DEA special registration is required to prescribe it. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can prescribe medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension. In many states, pharmacists can also prescribe it directly under expanded pharmacist prescribing laws for hormonal contraceptives.
OB/GYNs (obstetricians/gynecologists) — most common prescribers
Family medicine and internal medicine physicians
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
Physician assistants (PAs)
Planned Parenthood clinicians and Title X family planning providers
Pharmacists (in states with expanded prescribing authority for hormonal contraceptives)
Telehealth options are available for obtaining the prescription — platforms such as Nurx, Wisp, and others can prescribe Depo-Provera after a virtual consultation. However, the IM injection must be given in-person at a clinic or doctor's office. The subcutaneous Depo-SubQ Provera 104 formulation can be administered at home after initial training, making it more compatible with telemedicine-only management.
No. Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension) is not a controlled substance and is not assigned a DEA schedule. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority — including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives — can prescribe it without special DEA registration or controlled substance requirements.
There are no federal restrictions on the number of refills, no prescription quantity limits based on controlled substance law, and no requirement for in-person prescribing visits in states with telemedicine prescribing authority. In many states, pharmacists can prescribe it directly under expanded pharmacist prescribing laws for hormonal contraceptives.
The most common side effects (reported in >5% of clinical trial participants) include:
Menstrual irregularities, spotting, or breakthrough bleeding (57% at 12 months)
Amenorrhea (no period) with continued use
Weight gain (average 5 lbs at 1 year; 8 lbs at 2 years; >10 lbs in 38% at 24 months)
Headache (17%)
Abdominal pain or discomfort (11%)
Nervousness or mood changes (11%)
Decreased libido (6%)
Dizziness (6%)
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling)
Bone mineral density loss (Black Box Warning): Significant BMD loss with prolonged use; may not fully recover in adolescents
Meningioma (New December 2025 Warning): Approximately 5.5x increased risk with >1 year of use; monitor for headaches and visual changes
Deep vein thrombosis / pulmonary embolism: Discontinue if blood clot develops
Anaphylaxis: Rare but possible; seek emergency care immediately
Ectopic pregnancy: Evaluate for ectopic if severe abdominal pain occurs in a user who becomes pregnant
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Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant)
Single-rod subdermal progestin implant lasting 3 years; >99% effective; no meningioma or bone density black box warning; inserted and removed in a brief office procedure
Mirena / Kyleena (levonorgestrel IUD)
Hormonal IUD releasing localized progestin for 5–8 years; >99% effective; lower systemic progestin exposure than DMPA; no meningioma concern
Paragard (copper IUD)
Hormone-free IUD effective for 10–12 years; >99% effective; ideal for patients wanting to avoid all hormones; may cause heavier periods initially
Depo-SubQ Provera 104
Lower-dose (104 mg) subcutaneous formulation of same drug; self-injectable at home; also approved for endometriosis pain; meningioma warning also applies
Progestin-only pill (norethindrone/Slynd)
Daily oral progestin-only contraceptive; no injection required; available at any pharmacy; requires daily adherence; no access challenges
Prefer Depo-Provera? We can find it.
Rifampin (rifampicin)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inducer; may significantly decrease MPA blood levels; discuss alternative contraception with provider
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
moderateAnticonvulsant and CYP3A4 inducer; may reduce MPA effectiveness; monitor and consider additional contraception
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
moderateAnticonvulsant and CYP3A4 inducer; may reduce MPA levels
Acitretin (Soriatane)
majorRetinoid; reduces MPA effects by unknown mechanism; contraceptive failure possible — use alternative contraceptive method
Apalutamide (Erleada)
majorPotent CYP3A4 inducer; markedly decreases MPA levels; avoid combination
Enzalutamide (Xtandi)
moderateCYP3A4 inducer; decreases MPA levels; use alternative contraceptive if available
Etrasimod (Velsipity)
majorAdditive immunosuppressive effects with medroxyprogesterone; increased infection risk; avoid combination
St. John's Wort
minorHerbal CYP3A4 inducer; may reduce MPA levels; disclose to provider
Depo-Provera remains a highly effective, widely used contraceptive option in 2026. Its convenience — just four injections per year — makes it one of the easiest long-term contraceptive methods for patients who are consistent with their appointment schedule. With over 99% effectiveness when used on time, it offers protection comparable to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).
The December 2025 meningioma warning is an important new development that deserves serious consideration. Patients and providers should engage in shared decision-making about the benefits and risks of continued use, particularly for those who have been on Depo-Provera for more than 1–2 years. Alternative methods such as Nexplanon and hormonal IUDs offer comparable convenience without the meningioma or bone density concerns.
If you're continuing on Depo-Provera and need help finding the injection in stock near you, medfinder contacts pharmacies and clinics near you to check real-time availability. Enter your medication, dosage, and ZIP code to get started.
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