PROVERA

Drug Name: PROVERA

PROVERA DESCRIPTION:
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE - ORAL (meh-DROX-ee-pro-JESS-tur-own)

COMMON PROVERA BRAND NAME(S):
Amen, Cycrin, Progestone, Provera

PROVERA SIDE EFFECTS:
PROVERA may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, depression, sleeplessness, or irritability. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following while taking PROVERA: dizziness or fainting, sudden severe headache, changes in vision, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, swelling of the hands or feet, acute chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the calves accompanied by swelling/warmth/ redness, changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or complete stoppage of bleeding). If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE PROVERA:
PROVERA: May be taken with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Take PROVERA as prescribed. It is usually taken for 5 to 13 days during the later end of the menstrual cycle. A menstrual period should begin within 3 to 10 days of stopping the medication. For treatment of cancer, the medication is usually taken more often. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.

PROVERA WARNING:
You should not use PROVERA during the first 4 months of pregnancy because birth defects may occur. PROVERA has not been proven to prevent natural abortions that occur early in the pregnancy. Often, the cause of an early natural abortion is due to a defective female egg. Using PROVERA does not fix a defective egg and may get in the way of expelling it.

PROVERA USES:
PROVERA is a female hormone. It is used to treat amenorrhea (lack of menstrual flow), abnormal bleeding from the uterus, or endometriosis (a painful condition where the lining of the uterus is abnormal). It is also used to treat certain types of cancer and menopausal symptoms.

PROVERA PRECAUTIONS:
Before you take PROVERA, tell your doctor your medical history, including: high blood pressure, seizures, migraine headaches, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, cancer of the breast or genitals, high blood level of cholesterol or fats, depression, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes). Because PROVERA can interfere with laboratory tests, tell the doctor and laboratory personnel that you take medroxyprogesterone. Medroxyprogesterone may slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors. Cigarette smoking further increases these risks. Therefore, cigarette smoking should be avoided while taking PROVERA. PROVERA is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the first four months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using PROVERA. PROVERA is excreted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports (to date) of problems in nursing infants, breast-feeding while using very high doses of PROVERA is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

PROVERA DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

PROVERA OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and dizziness.

PROVERA NOTES:
It is important to have an annual physical exam and do regular self breast examinations while taking PROVERA. Patient information should be included with the medication. Read it carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any questions you may have. Do not allow anyone else to take PROVERA.

MISSED PROVERA DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

PROVERA STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.