What is Medroxyprogesterone? Uses, warnings & side effects

Updated Aug 26, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone. Though available as a tablet or injection, each dosage form is used for different problems. Most women will take medroxyprogesterone tablets because they’re not getting periods, they have uterine bleeding, or they are taking conjugated estrogens as hormone replacement. Doses are taken daily for only a few days at a time.

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Medroxyprogesterone overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Provera

Generic Names:

  • Medroxyprogesterone acetate

Uses:

  • Treats absence of menstruation and uterine bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance, prevents overgrowth of the uterine lining in postmenopausal women taking conjugated estrogens, and prevents pregnancy (injections).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Progestogen, progestogen-only contraceptive

Forms:

  • Tablet, injection

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, injection

What is Medroxyprogesterone used for?

Medroxyprogesterone tablets treat secondary amenorrhea (lack of periods) and uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance. Medroxyprogesterone is also prescribed to prevent abnormal thickening of the uterine wall (endometrial hyperplasia) in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus who are taking conjugated estrogens. 

Medroxyprogesterone injections are used as a hormonal contraceptive. These injections provide three months of pregnancy protection, but they are only used when other birth control methods aren’t adequate. Medroxyprogesterone contraception cannot safely be used for longer than two years.

What form(s) does Medroxyprogesterone come in?

  • Tablet

    • 2.5 mg

    • 5 mg

    • 10 mg

  • Injection

    • 150 mg/mL

What are common Medroxyprogesterone dosages?

  • For secondary amenorrhea: 5–10 mg tablet taken once daily for five to 10 days

  • For abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of an organic cause: 5–10 mg tablet taken once daily for five to 10 days starting on day 16 or day 21 of the menstrual cycle

  • To prevent endometrial hyperplasia in women taking daily doses of conjugated estrogens: 5–10 mg tablet taken once daily for 12–14 consecutive days starting on day one or day 16 of the menstrual cycle

  • To prevent pregnancy: 150 mg intramuscular injection every three months

Medroxyprogesterone images - What does Medroxyprogesterone look like?

  • medroxyPROGESTERone Acetate
    1ml of 150mg/ml syringe

  • medroxyPROGESTERone Acetate
    10mg tablet

  • medroxyPROGESTERone Acetate
    2.5mg tablet

  • medroxyPROGESTERone Acetate
    5mg tablet

  • medroxyPROGESTERone Acetate
    1ml of 150mg/ml vial

How to take Medroxyprogesterone

  • Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.

  • Medroxyprogesterone is often taken only on specific days of the menstrual cycle.

    • Be clear on when to start and stop doses.

    • Use a dose schedule or smartphone app to help you remember when to start and stop. 

  • Read and follow the Patient Information sheet that comes with this medicine. 

  • Tablets can be taken with or without food.

  • Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water.

  • Women who cannot swallow the tablets can place them under the tongue to dissolve.

  • A healthcare professional will administer medroxyprogesterone injections.

  • Store medroxyprogesterone tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).

What to do if you miss a dose of Medroxyprogesterone

  • Ask the prescriber how to manage missed doses.

  • The prescriber or clinic may have specific rules about when a missed dose can be taken.

  • Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Medroxyprogesterone contraindications - Who shouldn't take Medroxyprogesterone?

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use it if you are pregnant or have:

    • Past allergic reactions to medroxyprogesterone

    • Abnormal genital bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor

    • Active blood clot problems such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

    • A history of blood clot problems (including heart attack or stroke)

    • Breast cancer or an abnormal reading on a mammogram

    • A history of breast cancer or other hormone-dependent cancers

    • Liver problems or a history of liver problems

Medroxyprogesterone warnings

  • Tell all healthcare professionals providing treatment that you are taking medroxyprogesterone. 

    • Medroxyprogesterone may need to be discontinued several days before surgery or certain medical tests. 

    • Prolonged bed rest or convalescence may also require discontinuation. 

  • Before starting medroxyprogesterone, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:

    • Kidney problems

    • Liver problems

    • Heart problems

    • High blood pressure

    • Asthma

    • Diabetes

    • Seizures

    • Migraines

    • Endometriosis

    • Parathyroid problems

    • High calcium

    • Lupus

    • Eating disorders

    • A family history of osteoporosis

    • Irregular or light periods

    • Depression or a history of depression

  • Tell the prescriber if you smoke or drink alcohol.

  • This medicine can cause serious side effects, including:

    • Loss of bone density

    • Blood clots, stroke, heart attack, retinal blood clots, or similar problems

    • Increased risk of breast cancer 

    • Ectopic pregnancy

    • Liver problems

    • Bleeding problems

    • Seizures

    • Osteoporosis

    • Fluid retention

    • Depression

    • Dementia (when used with estrogen in women older than 65)

  • Long-term use (more than two years) of medroxyprogesterone could cause irreversible bone loss and bone weakening.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Be cautious about driving or operating machinery.

  • When used for contraception, medroxyprogesterone does not protect women from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Medroxyprogesterone interactions & what to avoid when taking Medroxyprogesterone

  • Before starting medroxyprogesterone, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all the medications regularly used, particularly:

    • HIV/AIDS medications

    • Drugs that treat seizures

    • Antibiotics

    • Steroids

    • Bosentan, griseofulvin, St. John’s wort

  • Tell other healthcare professionals about taking medroxyprogesterone before they prescribe new medications.

Medroxyprogesterone side effects - How does Medroxyprogesterone make you feel?

Serious side effects

Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect:

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding

  • Breast lumps

  • Sudden severe headache, dizziness, vomiting, problems with walking, speech, or eyesight, weakness, numbness in an arm or leg

  • Severe chest pain, dizziness, faintness, vomiting

  • Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood

  • Sudden partial or complete blindness

  • Severe calf pain, calf swelling

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Severe pain in the lower abdomen

  • New or worsening depression

  • Pain, pus, or bleeding at the injection site (injections)

  • Allergic reaction: Hives, swelling in the face, mouth, tongue, or neck, difficulty breathing

Less serious side effects

  • Light vaginal bleeding or spotting

  • Weight gain

  • Stomach pain

  • Headache

  • Weakness

  • Tiredness

  • Nervousness

  • Dizziness

  • Bloating

Sources:

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