PROVERA
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE
FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR
OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING PROVERA.
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE - ORAL (meh-DROX-ee-pro-JESS-tur-own)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Amen, Cycrin, Progestone, 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.
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.
HOW TO TAKE 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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