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Provera

medroxyprogesterone acetate · Tablet

Prescription NDA TE AB RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Provera
Generic name
medroxyprogesterone acetate
Dosage form
Tablet
Route
Oral
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
3
NDC product codes
3
Packages
3
Data completeness
77% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 10 mg/1 1000114 View
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 2.5 mg/1 1000114 View
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 5 mg/1 1000114 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Tablet
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
6

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Progesterone Congeners [CS] CS All 40 members
Progestin [EPC] EPC All 40 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
011839
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
June 18, 1959
Sponsor
PFIZER
Products on application
3
Submissions recorded
24
Products approved under application 011839.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
011839-001 PROVERA TABLET MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE Prescription AB RLD
011839-003 PROVERA TABLET MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE Prescription AB RLD
011839-004 PROVERA TABLET MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE Prescription AB RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 011839.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 83 Labeling Approved February 15, 2024 Standard
Supplement 78 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 18, 2023 N/A
Supplement 77 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved December 1, 2016 Standard
Supplement 80 Labeling Approved May 7, 2015 Standard
Supplement 79 Labeling Approved May 7, 2015 Standard
Supplement 71 Labeling Approved September 28, 2007 Standard
Supplement 68 Efficacy Approved August 4, 1998 Standard
Supplement 67 Labeling Approved March 31, 1998 Standard
Supplement 66 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved November 28, 1995 Standard
Supplement 63 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 23, 1993 Standard
Supplement 61 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 23, 1993 Standard
Supplement 62 Labeling Approved April 30, 1993 Standard
Supplement 59 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 19, 1992 Standard
Supplement 58 Labeling Approved December 18, 1991 —
Supplement 60 Labeling Approved November 19, 1991 —
Supplement 53 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 6, 1989 Standard
Supplement 52 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 3, 1988 Standard
Supplement 50 Labeling Approved October 26, 1987 —
Supplement 46 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved November 1, 1985 Standard
Supplement 39 Efficacy Approved July 23, 1979 —
Supplement 35 Efficacy Approved June 6, 1979 —
Supplement 29 REMS Approved October 21, 1975 Standard
Supplement 25 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 4, 1973 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved June 18, 1959 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · February 20, 2024
  • 0 · Supplement · February 16, 2024
  • 0 · Supplement · October 30, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · October 30, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · May 11, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · May 11, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · May 8, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · May 8, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2007
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2007
  • 0 · Supplement · August 4, 1998
  • 0 · Supplement · August 4, 1998

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260629). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260629

Boxed Warning

openFDA Drug Labeling

WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, BREAST CANCER AND PROBABLE DEMENTIA FOR ESTROGEN PLUS PROGESTIN THERAPY Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia Estrogen plus progestin therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS, Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia .) The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS, Cardiovascular Disorders . ) The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) combined with MPA (2.5 mg), relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS, Probable Dementia and PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use .) Breast Cancer The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS, Malignant Neoplasm, Breast Cancer . ) In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of CE and MPA, and other combinations and dosage forms of estrogens and progestins. Progestins with estrogens should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

What is the most important information I should know about PROVERA (a progestin hormone)? • Do not use estrogens with progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia (decline in brain function). • Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. • Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women age 65 years or older. • You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with PROVERA.

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE PROVERA tablets are indicated for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of organic pathology, such as fibroids or uterine cancer. They are also indicated for use in the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women who are receiving daily oral conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg tablets.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Secondary Amenorrhea PROVERA tablets may be given in dosages of 5 or 10 mg daily for 5 to 10 days. A dose for inducing an optimum secretory transformation of an endometrium that has been adequately primed with either endogenous or exogenous estrogen is 10 mg of PROVERA daily for 10 days. In cases of secondary amenorrhea, therapy may be started at any time. Progestin withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within three to seven days after discontinuing PROVERA therapy. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Due to Hormonal Imbalance in the Absence of Organic Pathology Beginning on the calculated 16th or 21st day of the menstrual cycle, 5 or 10 mg of PROVERA may be given daily for 5 to 10 days. To produce an optimum secretory transformation of an endometrium that has been adequately primed with either endogenous or exogenous estrogen, 10 mg of PROVERA daily for 10 days beginning on the 16th day of the cycle is suggested. Progestin withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within three to seven days after discontinuing therapy with PROVERA. Patients with a past history of recurrent episodes of abnormal uterine bleeding may benefit from planned menstrual cycling with PROVERA. Reduction of Endometrial Hyperplasia in Postmenopausal Women Receiving Daily 0.625 mg Conjugated Estrogens When estrogen is prescribed for a postmenopausal woman with a uterus, a progestin should also be initiated to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. A woman without a uterus does not need progestin. Use of estrogen, alone or in combination with a progestin, should be with the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Patients should be re-evaluated periodically as clinically appropriate (for example, 3 to 6 month intervals) to determine if treatment is still necessary (see WARNINGS ). For women who have a uterus, adequate diagnostic measures, such as endometrial sampling, when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in cases of undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal vaginal bleeding. PROVERA tablets may be given in dosages of 5 or 10 mg daily for 12 to 14 consecutive days per month, in postmenopausal women receiving daily 0.625 mg conjugated estrogens, either beginning on the 1st day of the cycle or the 16th day of the cycle. Patients should be started at the lowest dose. The lowest effective dose of PROVERA has not been determined.

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS PROVERA is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions: 1. Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. 2. Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer. 3. Known or suspected estrogen- or progesterone-dependent neoplasia. 4. Active DVT, PE, or a history of these conditions 5. Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions. 6. Known anaphylactic reaction or angioedema to PROVERA. 7. Known liver impairment or disease. 8. Known or suspected pregnancy.

WARNINGS See BOXED WARNINGS . 1. Cardiovascular Disorders An increased risk of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI has been reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. Should any of these events occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. Risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE) (for example, personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, and systemic lupus erythematosus) should be managed appropriately. a. Stroke In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy, a statistically significant increased risk of stroke was reported in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (33 versus 25 per 10,000 women-years). (See CLINICAL STUDIES .) The increase in risk was demonstrated after the first year and persisted. Should a stroke occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. b. Coronary Heart Disease In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy, there was a statistically non-significant increased risk of CHD events reported in women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women receiving placebo (41 versus 34 per 10,000 women-years). An increase in relative risk was demonstrated in year 1, and a trend toward decreasing relative risk was reported in years 2 through 5. In postmenopausal women with documented heart disease (n = 2,763, average 66.7 years of age), in a controlled clinical trial of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study [HERS]), treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5mg) demonstrated no cardiovascular benefit. During an average follow-up of 4.1 years, treatment with CE plus MPA did not reduce the overall rate of CHD events in postmenopausal women with established coronary heart disease. There were more CHD events in the CE plus MPA-treated group than in the placebo group in year 1, but not during the subsequent years. Two thousand three hundred and twenty-one (2,321) women from the original HERS trial agreed to participate in an open label extension of HERS, HERS II. Average follow-up in HERS II was an additional 2.7 years, for a total of 6.8 years overall. Rates of CHD events were comparable among women in the CE plus MPA group and the placebo group in HERS, HERS II, and overall. c. Venous Thromboembolism In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy, a statistically significant 2-fold greater rate of VTE (DVT and PE) was reported in women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women receiving placebo (35 versus 17 per 10,000 women-years). Statistically significant increases in risk for both DVT (26 versus 13 per 10,000 women-years) and PE (18 versus 8 per 10,000 women-years) were also demonstrated. The increase in VTE risk was demonstrated during the first year and persisted. (See CLINICAL STUDIES . ) Should a VTE occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. If feasible, estrogens plus progestins should be discontinued at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery of the type associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, or during periods of prolonged immobilization. 2. Malignant Neoplasms a. Breast Cancer The WHI substudy of daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone provided information about breast cancer in estrogen-alone users. In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy, after an average follow-up of 7.1 years, daily CE-alone was not associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer [relative risk (RR) 0.80] compared to placebo (see CLINICAL STUDIES ). After a mean follow-up of 5.6 years, the estrogen plus progestin substudy reported an increased risk of invasive breast cancer in women who took daily CE plus MPA. In this substudy, prior use of estrogen-alone or estrogen plus progestin ther …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS See BOXED WARNINGS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS . Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reactions have been reported in women taking PROVERA tablets, without concomitant estrogens treatment: 1. Genitourinary system Abnormal uterine bleeding (irregular, increase, decrease), change in menstrual flow, breakthrough bleeding, spotting, amenorrhea, changes in cervical erosion and cervical secretions. 2. Breasts Breast tenderness, mastodynia or galactorrhea has been reported. 3. Cardiovascular Thromboembolic disorders including thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism have been reported. 4. Gastrointestinal Nausea, cholestatic jaundice. 5. Skin Sensitivity reactions consisting of urticaria, pruritus, edema and generalized rash have occurred. Acne, alopecia and hirsutism have been reported. 6. Eyes Neuro-ocular lesions, for example, retinal thrombosis, and optic neuritis. 7. Central nervous system Mental depression, insomnia, somnolence, dizziness, headache, nervousness. 8. Miscellaneous Hypersensitivity reactions (for example, anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema), rash (allergic) with and without pruritus, change in weight (increase or decrease), pyrexia, edema/fluid retention, fatigue, decreased glucose tolerance. The following adverse reactions have been reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. 1. Genitourinary system Abnormal uterine bleeding/spotting, or flow; breakthrough bleeding; spotting; dysmenorrheal/pelvic pain; increase in size of uterine leiomyomata; vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis; change in amount of cervical secretion; changes in cervical ectropion; ovarian cancer; endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial cancer. 2. Breasts Tenderness, enlargement, pain, nipple discharge, galactorrhea; fibrocystic breast changes; breast cancer. 3. Cardiovascular Deep and superficial venous thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; thrombophlebitis; myocardial infarction; stroke; increase in blood pressure. 4. Gastrointestinal Nausea, vomiting; abdominal cramps, bloating; cholestatic jaundice; increased incidence of gallbladder disease; pancreatitis; enlargement of hepatic hemangiomas. 5. Skin Chloasma or melasma that may persist when drug is discontinued; erythema multiforme; erythema nodosum; hemorrhagic eruption; loss of scalp hair; hirsutism; pruritus, rash. 6. Eyes Retinal vascular thrombosis, intolerance to contact lenses. 7. Central nervous system Headache; migraine; dizziness; mental depression; chorea; nervousness; mood disturbances; irritability; exacerbation of epilepsy, dementia. 8. Miscellaneous Increase or decrease in weight; reduced carbohydrate tolerance; aggravation of porphyria; edema; arthalgias; leg cramps; changes in libido; urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions; hypocalcemia; exacerbation of asthma; increased triglycerides.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

DESCRIPTION PROVERA ® tablets contain medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a derivative of progesterone. It is a white to off-white, odorless crystalline powder, stable in air, melting between 200 and 210°C. It is freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in acetone and in dioxane, sparingly soluble in alcohol and in methanol, slightly soluble in ether, and insoluble in water. The chemical name for medroxyprogesterone acetate is pregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione, 17-(acetyloxy)-6-methyl-, (6α)-. The structural formula is: Each PROVERA tablet for oral administration contains 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate and the following inactive ingredients: Calcium stearate, corn starch, lactose, mineral oil, sucrose and talc. The 2.5 mg tablets also contain: FD&C Yellow No. 6. The 5 mg tablets also contain: FD&C Blue No.2 – Aluminum Lake. Chemical Structure

OVERDOSAGE Overdosage of estrogen plus progestin therapy may cause nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain, drowsiness/fatigue and withdrawal bleeding may occur in women. Treatment of overdose consists of discontinuation of CE plus MPA together with institution of appropriate symptomatic care.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

HOW SUPPLIED PROVERA Tablets are available in the following strengths and package sizes: 2.5 mg tablets (scored, round, orange, imprinted PROVERA 2.5) Bottles of 100: NDC 0009-0065-01 5 mg tablets (scored, round, blue, imprinted PROVERA 5) Bottles of 100: NDC 0009-0287-01 10 mg tablets (scored, round, white, imprinted PROVERA 10) Bottles of 100: NDC 0009-0051-01 Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP]. "Keep out of reach of children"

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
60,493
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Shortages

Source: FDA Drug Shortages
Availability records from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
Status Availability Company Presentation Updated
To Be Discontinued Pfizer Inc. PROVERA, Tablet, 10 mg (NDC 0009-0051-01) August 31, 2026
To Be Discontinued Pfizer Inc. PROVERA, Tablet, 2.5 mg (NDC 0009-0065-01) August 31, 2026

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0009-0051-01 0009-0051 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0009-0051-01) July 20, 2020
0009-0065-01 0009-0065 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0009-0065-01) September 3, 2019
0009-0287-01 0009-0287 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0009-0287-01) November 11, 2018
0009-0051 0009-0051 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC — July 20, 2020
0009-0065 0009-0065 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC — September 3, 2019
0009-0287 0009-0287 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC — November 11, 2018

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts
Drug Shortages FDA Supply availability

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.