Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Thromboembolic Disorders

Discontinue Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) if an arterial or deep venous thrombotic or thromboembolic event occurs.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions, including urticaria, pruritus and angioedema, have been reported with use of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) or with other products containing castor oil. Consider discontinuing the drug if such reactions occur.

Decrease in Glucose Tolerance

A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients on progestin treatment. The mechanism of this decrease is not known. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic women while they are receiving Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) .

Fluid Retention

Because progestational drugs may cause some degree of fluid retention, carefully monitor women with conditions that might be influenced by this effect (e.g., preeclampsia, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac or renal dysfunction).

Depression

Monitor women who have a history of clinical depression and discontinue Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) if clinical depression recurs.

Jaundice

Carefully monitor women who develop jaundice while receiving Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) and consider whether the benefit of use warrants continuation.

Hypertension

Carefully monitor women who develop hypertension while receiving Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) and consider whether the benefit of use warrants continuation.

Patient Counseling Information

See FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).

Counsel patients that Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) injections may cause pain, soreness, swelling, itching or bruising. Inform the patient to contact her physician if she notices increased discomfort over time, oozing of blood or fluid, or inflammatory reactions at the injection site [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate has not been adequately evaluated for carcinogenicity.

No reproductive or developmental toxicity or impaired fertility was observed in a multigenerational study in rats. Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) administered intramuscularly, at gestational exposures up to 5 times the recommended human dose, had no adverse effects on the parental (F0) dams, their developing offspring (F1), or the latter offspring's ability to produce a viable, normal second (F2) generation.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) use in women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Data from a vehicle (placebo)-controlled clinical trial of 310 pregnant women who received Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) at weekly doses of 250 mg by intramuscular injection in their second and third trimesters1, as well as long-term (2-5 years) follow-up safety data on 194 of their infants2, did not demonstrate any teratogenic risks to infants from in utero exposure to Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) .

Reproduction studies have been performed in mice and rats at doses up to 95 and 5, respectively, times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) .

Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) administration produced embryolethality in rhesus monkeys but not in cynomolgus monkeys exposed to 1 and 10 times the human dose equivalent every 7 days between days 20 and 146 of gestation. There were no teratogenic effects in either species.

Labor and Delivery

Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) is not intended for use to stop active preterm labor. The effect of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) in active labor is unknown.

Nursing Mothers

Discontinue Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) at 37 weeks of gestation or upon delivery. Detectable amounts of progestins have been identified in the milk of mothers receiving progestin treatment. Many studies have found no adverse effects of progestins on breastfeeding performance, or on the health, growth, or development of the infant.

Pediatric Use

Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) is not indicated for use in children. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients less than 16 years of age have not been established. A small number of women under age 18 years were studied; safety and efficacy are expected to be the same in women aged 16 years and above as for users 18 years and older. [See Clinical Studies.]

Geriatric Use

Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) is not intended for use in postmenopausal women. Safety and effectiveness in postmenopausal women have not been established.

Renal Impairment

No studies have been conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

No studies have been conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) in patients with hepatic impairment. Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) is extensively metabolized and hepatic impairment may reduce the elimination of Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) .

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/29/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.