Hydroxyprogesterone and Burning: What Users Say

• Lys...
• February 20, 2020

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "My first pregnancy was with my daughter, who was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 lb 12 oz with a brain bleed, MRSA, and a yeast infection. She is a healthy, happy 8-year-old now (I thank God every day). My son was born at 32 weeks, weighing 3 lb 15 oz. He was perfectly healthy, though in the NICU for 3 weeks, which was amazing compared to his sister, who spent 4 months. I started the injections at 19 weeks, I am at 23 weeks now. I know I can make it to 32 weeks without the injections, just praying I can make it to 36 weeks. I get the injections in my hip (I am a little lady), so far, my cervix is measuring perfectly, unlike the other two. I do not get the bumps, itchiness, burning, etc., symptoms like most people I have read. My hip is sore for a couple of days, that’s it. I soak in a warm bath, then have hubby rub my hip very lightly to get the fluid moving around. That seems to help tremendously!!! Good luck and sending prayers for you other mommas out there in the same boat and for healthy babies!!!!"

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I had my first child at 28w 5d. Baby stayed in NICU for almost 3 months but perfectly healthy now and 4 years old! This pregnancy, I started Makena at 16w 3d, and I got my last shot of Makena at 35w 3d (arm injections), and I’m now 37 weeks and 50% effaced and not dilated. Been having contractions like crazy but still no baby, hoping to have her soon. I’ve never been this far along, and I am miserable. Hope baby comes soon but set to be induced in two weeks. Makena has worked great for me, no problems. The shot burns a little, and the site itches a week later but worth not having a baby in NICU. Looking forward to a better experience in the hospital this time and getting to hold my baby immediately and have her in the room with me and go home when I do :)"

• OCM...
• May 29, 2020

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "My OBGYN recommended taking Makena. Starting at 16 weeks, I started my Makena shots. I had an adverse reaction to the injections, as many stated: site injection, itching, burning, and swelling that lasted about a week, on top of drowsiness and next-day pelvic pain that caused me an inability to walk. I continued to take the injections for a total of 4 injections, after each injection, I would have the same reaction, sleeping almost the entire day and experiencing pelvic pain, unable to walk the next day. At 18 weeks, I was hospitalized for severe pain, but the fetus was growing normally. At 19 weeks, I spoke to my OB about the side effects, and she said she had never heard of this complaint yet. I called their customer service line and Amax Pharmaceuticals, and they also had never heard of these reported side effects. So I will no longer be taking Makena, as it is causing my body more harm than good."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I started the Makena auto injector at 18 weeks. I get it in my hip and alternate sides weekly. My husband administers the shots because I couldn't go to the office every week for this long. Placement is key with getting it not to burn like heck. If it's more than an inch or so off, it burns so bad! I do have lots of lumps at the injection sites, and they itch even 2-3 weeks after getting it. I had my first baby at 39 weeks, and my 2nd was IUGR, and I had her at 36 weeks and 2 days, so this time around, my OB prescribed the Makena injections. Today marks 36 weeks and 2 days into this pregnancy, and as of yesterday, I am 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced, and the baby is at 0 station, which means his head is VERY low. I definitely think the progesterone has helped with keeping him cooking as long as he has been."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I went into labor with my first child at 32 weeks for no obvious reason. Took Makena with the second starting at 16 weeks through 36 weeks. Went into labor about 3 days after stopping the medication. Those injections were IM given in the hip-they were not that bad, a little sting but no big deal. With my third, I started the Makena auto injector given SC in the arm. Hands down the worst shot I have ever had. Feels like a wasp sting and burns for 10-15 minutes afterward, and my arm is sore for days later. I’m a nurse and I don’t mind shots, but these are horrible. Also incredibly expensive-$650/month compared to $100/month the last time I took them. I tried to switch, but now they say insurance won’t cover the IM anymore. I will continue with them but really wish I could go back to the IM injections."

• Thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "Was reading the other comments about the SQ injection (back of arm), and I know everyone is saying how horrible it is. But for me, it's NOT that bad, certainly, I am not worried by it. The medication is thick, so yes, it KINDA burns and stings sort of for a few days, but that's it for me."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "My first I had at 29 weeks, so my last 2 I was on this. That's when they would give a shot in the butt. No problems. Now for this one, I'm getting the injections in my arm. Omg. It hurt and burned for days, then itched. A week later and I still have a red round bump. They worked, though, for me. Once I stop at 36 weeks, I'd go into labor 2-3 days after."

• ASa...
• August 19, 2020

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "The cost is outrageous. I have paid so much for this drug, and it used to be available for way cheaper. I don't know how drug companies are able to keep doing this to people. It's also very hard to navigate insurance with some of the specialty pharmacies. I have spent many afternoons on the phone trying to sort it all out. Besides all of that, I dealt with burning, lumping, and a rash at the injection site for 14 weeks. I decided to stop after 31 weeks because I was becoming very depressed and dealing with a lot of anxiety. I was also admitted for preterm labor at 28 weeks and have had to be on Procardia. I have had daily contractions since 22 weeks, and I do believe the Makena has helped my cervix ripen slower. I just can't do it anymore. I even have scarring from the rashes. The shot takes up to 17 days to wear off (depending on the source), so I will be good through 33 weeks, and my baby has already had steroid shots. I would not do these again. I would rather do vaginal suppositories."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2020

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I lost twins at 24 weeks. My second pregnancy, I had my daughter at 31 weeks, so my OB suggested Makena for this pregnancy. I started the auto injector shots in the back of my arm at 17 weeks and will be 36 weeks tomorrow. I definitely think they are the reason I have made it this far in pregnancy. The shots are painful, but honestly, the pain doesn’t last long. It’s a burning sensation. I had some itchiness at the shot site a few days after, but nothing unbearable. I would totally recommend them. I know they are expensive, but I am lucky that we have good insurance that covers the price."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "My OB recommended me to get Makena shots, hydroprogesterone shots, for my current pregnancy because my last baby was born at 35 weeks for no reason. I’ve been getting it since 16 weeks, and I stopped at 35 weeks. I am currently 37 weeks along, and so far, so good. I got the ones injected on top of my buttocks, and sometimes it burns, sometimes it doesn’t. Depending on which side of my buttock I got the shot, it makes that side very sore and makes me unable to sleep on that side for a few nights. It itches where I was given the shot, even my hands developed hives and itched. This shot tends to make me very hot, more than usual. It was sort of uncomfortable, but eventually, I got used to it. I think it’s worth it for the baby."

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I had my first child at 27 weeks. My second child at 33 weeks. I started Makena with my third child when I was 16 weeks pregnant, ended up having her at 31 weeks. I'm currently pregnant with my fourth child, and I'm 29 weeks pregnant and started Makena when I was 25 weeks pregnant with this pregnancy. I get it in my hip. It burns sometimes when it's injected, but other than that, there is no pain. I'm hoping it'll work better with this pregnancy than my last."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I have no idea how some of these ladies are administering the SC injection compared to the IM injection, but wow! The pain of the large gauge needle deep in my muscle is so, so much more painful than the quick SC injection. Either way, it's all about my baby, and the SC injection makes things so much easier, faster, and very little pain besides slight burning at the site of injection, itching, and slight bump once in a while. This has worked best for me: cold ice behind the arm for a couple of minutes, then relax the arm and let it hang down, and have someone administer it from behind. It's fast and no, no pain at all compared to the IM. Still can't believe people think the SC has more pain than the IM. Hopefully, this helps, so they can have pain-free injection while having a healthy baby. Good luck, moms."

• Hig...
• October 13, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I highly recommend Makena. Every week that I get my injections, I rotate arms. We have found out if we administer my shot two inches roughly below my armpit, then it doesn’t burn or hurt at all. (Yes, my husband administers them for me since I can’t go into my doctor's office every week to get the shot since I’m on bedrest). Yes, if they are not administered in the right spot in the arm, it will hurt and be extremely painful. My firstborn was born at 29 weeks and had a 57-day NICU stay. I’m currently 32 weeks and so thankful for Makena. I truly believe that Makena is the reason I’ve made it this far. :) And insurance has covered most of the cost. We only pay $30 for 4 shots every month. So it’s very affordable for us."

• six...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I had my second daughter at 33 weeks. With my last daughter, I had an emergency cerclage placed at 16 weeks. I was already 1 cm dilated. I started the p17 shots in the hip and went into labor at 31 weeks. I stayed in the hospital at 7 cm until I delivered her at 36 weeks. I received the p17 shot until I delivered her at 36 weeks. I’m now 21 weeks 3 days pregnant with my 4th daughter and had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks and started the Makena auto-injector in my arm at 16 weeks. The arm injections itch like crazy, burn, and leave me with lumps for days. I get cervical length checks every 2 weeks, and it is long and closed. Not sure if the injections are helping or if the cerclage is working. I’m hoping to make it to 36 weeks again without a hospital stay."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "Getting the auto-injection in my arm once a week, starting at 16 weeks, and I am now 24 weeks. The first few burned really badly afterward, but now I barely notice anything. My son, who is about to be 2 years old, was born at 34 weeks due to Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) with no known cause, so my doctor got me on this as quickly as possible, and the baby is growing well, and the ultrasound shows all organs and limbs are there."

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2017

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "I had my second child at 35 weeks. My insurance told me that the Makena shot would help me not to have a premature baby. The shot hurt a lot, and it burned every time I took it. I started taking it at 20 weeks pregnant. I had my baby at 29 weeks, my water broke early. So I believe the Makena shot didn't work for me. I really regret taking it, it was a waste of money for my insurance to pay for. Now my baby is in the NICU, she's doing fine, but if I ever get pregnant again, I'm not taking the Makena shot ever again, it doesn't work."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2019

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "So, my doctor recommended the Makena shot because I had my second daughter at 35 weeks, and my last 2 children, I kept having to go to the hospital and get shots for contractions for preterm labor because I was dilating. I had pain in my arm from the shot, and my arms itched and lumped up for weeks. I had to switch to the generic because it was too pricey, and the manufacturer ran out of the medication after my 4th shot. The generic wasn't much better. It left itching, burning, and lumps. Having the injection site in my upper buttocks was much easier. I am almost 35 weeks now, and I've been to the hospital consistently since 24 weeks with contractions and such. Now I have a huge lump in my right buttocks that hurts real bad and itches. I feel like it has sort of kept me from going into full-blown labor, but only with the help from 4 other medications."

• Mek...
• January 2, 2019

For Premature Labor "Yes, the injection itself burns, and is a thick substance, so it can't be injected real quickly, but the effectiveness of this medication has been amazing. I have had 4 previous pregnancies, all of which were preemies. The earliest was 27 weeks, the longest was 34 weeks. This is the first time I will hopefully have the experience of taking my baby home when I get discharged, and not having to live in the NICU for days/weeks/months. It is worth every second of uncomfortability each week to know that my child will be healthier than any we've had previously."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2018

For Premature Labor "It helped with my second pregnancy. I delivered at 38 weeks, so in that aspect, I loved it. As for my reaction, I swelled every time I got the shot and had a large, hard bump that was extremely itchy and usually lasted over a week. I spoke with my doctor, and she decided to change the oil from sesame seed oil to olive oil, and it seemed to get better. With this pregnancy, we started with olive oil, and again I am swelling with a hard lump and it burns the whole day I receive the shot and itches so bad I wake up some nights. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m grateful this medicine works for me for preterm labor but wish the side effects were a little more pleasant."

• Hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2022

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "Three weeks after taking my last injection (only took two because side effects were too much), I now have burning, itching, welt/hive-like, hot, raised spots (about 4x4 area) on the back of both arms where injections were done."

• Ouc...
• September 2, 2021

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "My first pregnancy, I had PROM at 28 weeks and made it to 33 and 2. This time, they recommended Makena shots, first starting with the vaginal pill inserts until insurance accepted the other. However, I didn’t use the pill inserts. Today was my first injection in my hip, and the injection wasn’t bad when getting it, but afterward, it burns! It’s like if I move a certain way, it irritates it even more! I hope it doesn’t last for long, but from ready stories, it seems to cause some problems and last awhile."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2023

Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor "Had PPROM and spontaneous birth at 29 and 30 weeks with my first baby. 39-day NICU stay. I am now pregnant with my second and my OB prescribed Makena, 240 mg auto-injector, starting at 16 weeks. I had my third shot today, all in the arm. The injection is fairly simple. A small needle you don’t see administered in the back of the arm for about 10-15 seconds. You don’t feel the injection, but you will feel the effects after which includes (for me) pain, numbness, burning, and itching in the arm and shoulder. This only lasts for 4-5 hours and I am back to normal. The worst part is just having to schedule weekly appointments as I am incredibly hopeful this will help me carry my second to full term. If you are considering or been prescribed this, go through the wonderful team with CareConnect to see if you can get the manufacturer discount."