General Information on Provera
Provera is a medication with the generic name Medroxyprogesterone. This is a synthesized form of progesterone, which is a female hormone that assists in regulating ovulation and menstrual periods.
Provera is used to treat conditions like irregular menstrual periods and abnormal uterine bleeding. This drug is used to reduce risk of endometrial hyperplasia while taking estrogens.
Provera is also used to prevent uterine lining overgrowth, especially in postmenopausal women who are simultaneously undergoing estrogen replacement therapy.
You may buy Provera only with a valid doctor’s prescription.
Side effects of Provera
The patient should get immediate medical help if the following signs of an allergic reaction occur with use of Provera:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Nervousness or Tremor
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of body
- Sudden headache, confusion, vision problem
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- Swelling of mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat
- Sudden cough, wheezing, fast heart rate
- Symptoms of depression like sleep problems and mood changes
Less serious Provera side effects are:
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
- Changes in menstrual periods
- Vaginal itching or discharge
- Mild itching or skin rash
- Increased acne, hair growth, loss of scalp hair
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Skin color changes
Side effects by body system include :
- Genitourinary system – abnormal bleeding of uterine, spotting, amenorrhea and changes in cervical secretions
- Breasts – breast tenderness, mastodynia and glactorrhea
- Central nervous system – mental depression, dizziness, headache, nervousness, insomnia
- Cardiovascular – thromboembolic disorders like thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism
- Gastrointestinal – nausea, jaundice, cholestatic
- Skin – uticaria, pruritus, edema, hirsutism, acne and alopecia
- Eyes- neuro-ocular lesions; optic neuritis and retinal thrombosis
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Dosage of Provera
The recommended dosage of Provera tablets is Provera 5mg per day or Provera 10mg per day for a period of 5-10 days.
In case of treating secondary amenorrhea, therapy can begin at any time as per the doctor’s decision. In most cases, bleeding occurs within 3 to 7 days of discontinuing Provera therapy.
In case of missed dose patient can take it as soon as he or she remembers. Patient has not to take an extra dose to make up the missed dose. Overdose of Provera needs medical attention since it may lead to vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and vaginal bleeding or breast tenderness.
Provera is to be avoided during pregnancy, as it may result in fetal death or severe birth defects. It is also excreted in breast milk, and may cause harm to the nursing child. Therefore, you must not take this medication while breastfeeding.
Smoking should be totally avoided while taking this medication, because it increases the risk of blood clots. If you have a smoking habit, your doctor must be made aware of it beforehand.
Interactions
A total of 151 drugs, covering 572 brand and generic names, are known to interact with Provera. Out of this list, 11 are major interactions while 133 are moderate and 7 are minor interactions. It is best to check the safety of common medications in combination with this drug.
