A 30-year-old multiparous woman chooses depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo-Provera) for contraception. What is the correct dose and injection interval?
- A 50 mg intramuscularly every month
- B 150 mg intramuscularly every 13 weeks ✓
- C 104 mg subcutaneously every 6 months
- D 300 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks
Correct answer: B. 150 mg intramuscularly every 13 weeks
Explanation
The standard DMPA preparation used worldwide and in the Indian programme (brand Antara) is 150 mg given deep intramuscularly, repeated every 12 to 13 weeks, with the first dose within the first 5 days of the cycle. It acts mainly by inhibiting ovulation. The monthly preparation is a combined injectable containing estradiol cypionate plus medroxyprogesterone, not DMPA alone.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.