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Home > Drug Category > Women's Health > Provera and Equivalent

Provera Information

Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) is used to prevent pregnancy. It is also used in treating women whose menstrual period has stopped, abnormal uterine bleeding and endometriosis, heavy flow, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The active ingredient in Provera is Medroxyprogesterone. Medroxyprogesterone is a natural hormone made by the body. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), such as Provera, works by lowering the amount of certain hormones in the body and decreasing the growth of abnormal tissues that cause endometriosis. As a result, it helps to reduce pain and other symptoms. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, or chlamydia).

Provera Side Effects

The most common side effects of Provera may include Nausea, bloating, headache, changes in appetite, weight gain, tiredness, swelling, acne, hot flashes, breast tenderness, and vaginal bleeding.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects such as:
• Sudden loss of vision in both eyes;
• Uncontrolled vaginal bleeding or missed/irregular periods

Provera Precautions

Before using Provera, inform your doctor if you are currently on any contraceptive, either tablet or intrauterine device such as IUCD or Mirena coil. Your doctor will ensure you are not pregnant before starting you on this medication. Provera is available as a depot injection, and it should be injected under the skin in the stomach area or upper thigh as directed by your doctor, usually once every 3 months. The first injection is usually given during the first 5 days of your menstrual period or 6 weeks after the delivery of your baby if you are breastfeeding. It is also available as a tablet and should be taken orally with or without food, usually 2-3 times daily. If you use this medication at home, your doctor will teach you how to administer Provera injection. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Shake the syringe well for at least 1 minute before each injection. If more than 14 weeks pass between injections, you could become pregnant. Use a form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm, and spermicide) to prevent pregnancy until you can get the next injection. Your doctor may direct you to first have a pregnancy test before your next injection. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history; if you have a bleeding disorder, sickle cell disease, breast cancer, endometrial or cervical cancer, migraine, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Do not take medroxyprogesterone tablets while you're pregnant. It can affect the hormone changes that happen naturally during pregnancy. It's unknown how much medroxyprogesterone gets into breast milk when taken as tablets, but it's likely to be a low amount. Discuss with your doctor before using the Provera tablet while breastfeeding a child. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Provera and other medications such as aminoglutethine, warfarin, efavirenz, clobazam, ketoconazole, and insulin. Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store the medication in a cool, dry place below 30°C.

Do I need a prescription to order Provera?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Provera.