What is Antara?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Antara is the trade name for Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), a widely used injectable contraceptive.
It is a long-acting, reversible, progestin-only contraceptive method.
A single 150 mg dose is administered intramuscularly every three months, providing highly effective protection against pregnancy.
Its primary mechanism is the inhibition of ovulation, supplemented by changes in cervical mucus that block sperm penetration.

Option B: Progestin-only pills (POPs or 'mini-pills') are oral contraceptives that must be taken daily. Antara is an injection given every three months.
Option C: Combination oral contraceptives (COCs) are daily pills that contain both estrogen and progestin (e.g., Mala-N). Antara is an injectable and contains only progestin.
Option D: This option is incorrect because Option A accurately describes what Antara is.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hormonal contraceptive methods, specifically injectable contraceptives under the Indian National Family Planning Program as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in counseling women about contraceptive choices. It is essential to explain the benefits, side effects (especially menstrual changes like spotting or amenorrhea), and the 3-month schedule for Antara.
Patient education must include the fact that fertility return can be delayed for several months after discontinuing Antara. This is a key point for women who wish to plan a pregnancy soon after stopping contraception.
A nurse must screen for contraindications before administering DMPA, such as active breast cancer, severe liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword in the question, which is 'Antara'.
Recognize that 'Antara' is a brand name for a product distributed under a national health program in India.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about different family planning methods.
Recall or deduce that Antara is the injectable contraceptive, DMPA.
Evaluate the options: 'An injectable contraceptive' directly matches the description of Antara. The other options describe different forms of contraception (oral pills).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Hormonal contraceptive methods, specifically injectable contraceptives under the Indian National Family Planning Program.
Stem keywords: Antara
Lead-in keywords: What is

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) pp. 196-198, 197-199

E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi Essentials 9e Part 1 p. 376-378

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.