Provera
Meaning of Provera: Provera is a brand name for oral medroxyprogesterone acetate, a progestin used to regulate periods and treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
Definition of Provera
Provera is a brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of progesterone belonging to the progestin class of hormones. It works by acting on the lining of the uterus in ways similar to the body's own progesterone, helping regulate the buildup and shedding of that lining.
Provera, taken as an oral tablet, is used to treat conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding and absent menstrual periods, and it is also included as part of certain hormone replacement regimens to protect the uterine lining in people taking estrogen. It is generally taken for a defined number of days within a cycle rather than continuously.
Provera should not be confused with Depo-Provera, an injectable form of the same active drug given at a much higher dose for long-acting contraception, since the two products differ substantially in dose, formulation, and intended use despite sharing the same generic medication.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Provera was prescribed to help regulate the patient's irregular menstrual cycles.
Good to know
Provera and Depo-Provera contain the same active drug, medroxyprogesterone acetate, but differ enough in dose and formulation that they serve distinct purposes and are not interchangeable.