Provera

What Is Provera?

Provera (medroxyprogesterone) is a form of the female hormone progesterone used to treat secondary amenorrhea; abnormal bleeding from the uterus due to hormonal imbalance and not due to fibroids, or cancer; and to prevent endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women who have not undergone a hysterectomy and are receiving conjugated estrogens. Provera is used for contraception and for treating endometrial or renal cancer. A generic version of Provera is available.

What Are Side Effects of Provera?

Side effects of Provera include:

• breast tenderness or discharge,
• hives,
• itching,
• skin rash,
• increased acne,
• hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• spotting or break-through bleeding,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• changes in appetite,
• increased or decreased weight,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• fever,
• sleep problems (insomnia), and
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or
• skin color changes.

Provera may increase risk of heart attacks, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots, and pulmonary emboli in postmenopausal women.

Dosage for Provera

The dose of Provera varies depending on the indication. Provera inhibits fertility at high doses.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Provera?

Provera may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Avoid smoking while taking Provera due to a greatly increased risk of blood clots.

Provera During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Provera passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Provera Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• vaginal bleeding if you have already gone through menopause;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a breast lump;
• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, dizziness, mood changes, headache);
• fever;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or
• signs of a blood clot in your leg--pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs.

Common side effects may include:

• spotting or breakthrough bleeding;
• changes in your menstrual periods;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• breast tenderness or discharge;
• headache, dizziness, feeling nervous or depressed;
• bruising or swelling of your veins;
• premenstrual type symptoms (bloating, fluid retention, mood changes);
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• itching, rash, acne, hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
• stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea;
• weight gain; or
• vision changes and difficulty wearing contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Provera (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Tablets)