PROVERA – Medroxyprogesterone

Provera Used For

Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) is prescribed to treat irregular or abnormal uterine bleeding and lack of menstruation. It may also be prescribed for preventing miscarriage in the first few months of pregnancy.

Directions for Provera

Following is the recommended dose of Provera for various conditions: For controlling unusual and heavy bleeding of the uterus (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) or treating unusual stopping of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) - adults and teenagers can be put on a dose of 5 to 10 mg a day for 5 to 10 days as decided by the doctor. For preparing the uterus for the menstrual period, adults and teenagers can be given a dose of 10 mg daily for 5 or 10 days as directed by the doctor. For prevention of thickening of uterus lining due to estrogen (endometrial hyperplasia) when taken for ovarian hormone therapy in postmenopausal women, 5 to 10 mg of Provera daily for 10 to 14 or more days each month as directed by the doctor.

How Provera works

It has been found that postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older had an increased risk of developing dementia when treated with conjugated estrogens plus progesterone. It is advisable not to take Provera before getting approval from your doctor, especially if you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, any type of breast or uterine cancer, or liver or gallbladder disease. Also inform you doctor if you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, migraines, asthma, kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes. Provera is known to harm an unborn baby and is not advisable to be prescribed for pregnant women. There is an increased risk of minor birth defects in children whose mothers take this drug during the first 4 months of pregnancy. These abnormalities may be in the form of being born with the opening of the penis (only in male babies) on the underside rather than the tip of the penis (Hypospadias). Hypospadias occurs in about 5 to 8 per 1000 male births and the chances are doubled if Provera is taken. While detectable amounts of Provera are known to pass into mother's milk, it is not clear what effects it has on the nursing infant. Hence it is advisable not to take this medication without first confirming with your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Smoking should strictly be avoided during treatment with Provera as this could lead to dangerous blood clot formation. This medication may also increase the sensitivity of skin to sunlight. Patients on Provera should use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Provera side effects

As with all other medications, Provera also has its side effects which may or may not include any or all of the following: shortness of breath or pain in the chest, a sudden severe headache, visual changes, a painful, red, swollen leg, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, prolonged, heavy, vaginal bleeding, stomach or side pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, changes in appetite or weight, swelling of hands or feet, changes in menstrual cycle, depression, acne, increase in body or facial hair or hair loss, tenderness of the breasts, nausea, headache or insomnia, changes in voice, and/or areas of darker skin. It is advisable to seek immediate medical help if any of the above symptoms get aggravated or cause undue discomfort.

Other Provera information

Take each dose of the medicine with a full glass of water. The drug may lead to stomach upset and so should be taken with food or milk to lessen this. Try to take doses at the same time each day. The tablet may be split and taken at half the dose.