Provera belongs to group of medicines called progestogens and is related to the naturally occurring hormone called progesterone. The active ingredient in Provera is called medoxyprogesterone acetate. Provera tablets are available in a number of strengths 2.5mg, 5mg, 10 mg, 100mg, 200mg & 400mg. The lower doses tend to be used for non-malignant conditions and the higher ones for cancers such as Breast, Uterus or Kidney.

Medroxyprogesterone may be taken with food or on an empty stomach with a glass of water or juice.

Swelling of hands, feet or lower legs occur if your body retains extra fluid.
Blood clots can sometimes occur. This is more likely to happen if you have had blood clots before. Signs to watch for include tenderness or hardness over a vein; calf tenderness; sudden onset of cough, chest pain or shortness of breath. Breast swelling, soreness and/or leaking from the nipple may occur. You may gain or lose weight due to a change in appetite. Weight gain is more common.

Other drugs such as aminoglutethimide or rifampin may interact with medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor if you are taking these or any other drugs as your dose may need to be changed. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new drugs.

If you miss a dose of medroxyprogesterone, take it as soon as you can if it is within 12 hours of the missed dose. If it is over 12 hours since your missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing times.

Some tumours such as breast cancer are stimulated by the bodies own female hormone (Oestrogen). Stopping the bodies hormones reaching the tumour can cause the cancer cells to stop growing and in some cases shrivel up and die completely (self destruct - apoptosis). Provera works in two main ways. Firstly it fools the signal pathway between the brain (pituitary) and the Ovaries by increasing the blood levels of another hormone produced in the ovaries called progesterone so in turn the brain thinks the ovaries are producing too many hormones including oestrogen. As a consequence the body switches off the driving signal from the brain by itself - this results in reducing the blood level of oestrogen. Secondly Provera has a direct effect on the tumour via its own receptors called progesterone receptors. Stimulation of these receptors causes the cell to slow its uncontrolled growth and become less aggressive.

Store medroxyprogesterone tablets out of the reach of children, at room temperature, away from heat, light and moisture.