Provera
(Medroxyprogesterone)
Regulates your menstrual cycle and supplements estrogen treatments for menopause.
Our bottom line
Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) works well to regulate your menstrual cycle and stop irregular bleeding. It also protects the uterus from estrogen's harmful effects.
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (medroxyprogesterone)
Upsides
- Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) can be used to treat multiple hormone problems in women.
- After menopause, taking estrogen raises your risk of uterine cancer. However, taking progesterone, like in Provera (Medroxyprogesterone), along with estrogen gives you the positive effects of estrogen, but also prevents it from damaging your uterus.
- Women taking an estrogen/progestin combination medications have a lower risk of uterine cancer.
Downsides
- You can't take Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) if you've had a hysterectomy (your uterus removed). You also can't take it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have unusual vaginal bleeding, or have a history of blood clots, certain kinds of cancer, stroke, heart attack, liver problems, or bleeding problems.
Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone hormone that works to balance hormone changes in the body. In premenopausal women, it prevents thickening of the uterus lining and regulates your menstrual cycle. It's also added to hormone therapy to protect the uterus from the harmful effects of estrogen.
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (medroxyprogesterone)
Used for
- Amenorrhea
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Prevention of uterine cancer in women taking estrogen
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$3.11Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Rite AidGet free coupon$5.46
- Get free discount$6.32
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$7.36
Side effect rates for Provera (Medroxyprogesterone)
- Source: FDA adverse event database
- We searched the FDA database for all the names this medicine may be known by:› medroxyprogesterone› Provera
- Reports are often from people taking more than one drug. Their side effects might not be due to Provera at all.
- Percentages only tell you how common an issue is for people who actually make the effort to report side effects to the FDA, not for everyone.
- These reports are not confirmed or validated by doctors or the FDA.
Risks and Warnings for Provera (Medroxyprogesterone)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Personal or family history of breast cancer
It is not completely clear if progestin, like as Provera (Medroxyprogesterone), increases your risk of breast cancer. There may be a higher risk if you have a history of breast cancer, so make sure to get routine breast exams.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Provera (Medroxyprogesterone)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with real people or animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. If you’re pregnant, the risks to your unborn baby outweigh the benefits.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) contains progestin. It could cause a higher risk of ovarian cancer, especially if you have a family history of it. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks versus the benefits of this medication.
- Can cause headache, weight gain, breast tenderness, or changes in mood.