Provera

Provera is a type of progesterone (a hormone) used to treat issues like missing or irregular menstrual periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding.

Provera is also used to lower the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a condition that can result in uterine cancer) when taking estrogens.

Provera may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Provera is usually taken for only a few days in a row each month.

Your doctor should check how you are doing regularly to decide if you should keep using this treatment. Check your breasts for lumps every month, and have regular pelvic exams, breast exams, and mammograms while taking Provera. You will need frequent medical tests.

If you need surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using Provera for a short time. Inform any doctor or surgeon that you are using Provera.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Provera.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Provera is not for preventing heart disease, stroke, or dementia. In fact, Provera may raise your chances of getting these conditions.

Using medroxyprogesterone for a long time may raise your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Discuss this risk with your doctor.

You should not use Provera if you are allergic to it, or if you have or have ever had:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• dementia;
• a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• a history of hormone related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer; or
• liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• heart problems;
• asthma;
• migraine headaches;
• a thyroid disorder;
• high triglycerides;
• endometriosis (severe pelvic pain) or any type of fibroid;
• low or high levels of calcium in your blood;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; or
• kidney disease.

Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.

Long-term use of medroxyprogesterone may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

You will need to take a pregnancy test before, during, and after treatment with Provera.

May cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Using this medicine during the first 4 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby.

Do not breastfeed.

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

Provera may cause serious side effects. Stop using Provera and call your doctor right away if you have:

• unusual vaginal bleeding;
• confusion, memory problems;
• a breast lump;
• abnormal thyroid hormone levels;
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing up blood;
• signs of a blood clot deep in the body--pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back;
• high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• gallbladder problem--chalky-colored stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back; or
• depression--mood changes, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, new sleep problems, thoughts about hurting yourself.

Common side effects of Provera may include:

• spotting or breakthrough bleeding;
• changes in your menstrual periods, missed menstrual periods;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• headache, dizziness, feeling nervous or depressed;
• breast pain, tenderness, or discharge;
• stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea, vomiting;
• itching, hives, rash, acne, hair growth, hair loss;
• bruising or swelling of your veins;
• fever, tiredness, drowsiness, sleep problems (insomnia);
• vision changes and difficulty wearing contact lenses; or
• premenstrual type symptoms--bloating, fluid retention, shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling, rapid weight gain (especially in your face and midsection), mood changes.

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.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid smoking. It can significantly raise your chances of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while taking Provera.

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medicines together. Some drugs can change the blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may affect Provera, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using.

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