How and when to take medroxyprogesterone tablets - Brand names: Climanor, Provera

It's important to take medroxyprogesterone tablets as your doctor has asked you to.

Dosage and strength

Medroxyprogesterone comes as 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets. These strengths are used for period problems, endometriosis, symptoms of the menopause and hot flushes caused by treatment for prostate cancer.

Medroxyprogesterone also comes as higher strength 100mg, 200mg and 400mg tablets but these are only used for certain types of cancer.

Dose for period problems

If you take medroxyprogesterone tablets for period problems or heavy vaginal bleeding, the usual dose is 2.5mg to 10mg once a day for 5 to 10 days during your menstrual cycle.

You'll usually take it for 2 or 3 cycles, starting 16 to 21 days after the start of your last period. Your doctor will tell you what day of your cycle to start taking it and how many days to take it for.

Dose for endometriosis

The usual dose for endometriosis is 10mg three times a day, every day for 3 months (or 3 cycles of your periods), starting on the first day of a period.

Dose for polycystic ovary syndrome

For polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), if your periods are infrequent or you're not having periods, the usual dose is 10mg once a day, taken for 14 days every 1 to 3 months.

Dose for hot flushes caused by prostate cancer treatment

The usual dose for hot flushes caused by treatment for prostate cancer is 20mg (two 10mg tablets) once a day.

Dose for menopause symptoms

If you're taking medroxyprogesterone along with an oestrogen (another hormone) for menopause symptoms, the treatment is called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

You'll usually take it for part of each 28 day HRT cycle. Your doctor will advise you on the dose and which days to take it.

Dose for cancer

If you're taking high doses of medroxyprogesterone for cancer (100mg, 200mg or 400mg tablets), the doses can be very different depending on the type of cancer. Your doctor will tell you how much to take.

You can find out more about medroxyprogesterone for treating cancer on the Macmillan website.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets with a drink of water.

You can take them with or without food.

If you take the tablets once a day, you can take them at any time, but try to stick to the same time each day.

If you take them 3 times a day, try to space your doses evenly throughout the day.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose of medroxyprogesterone, you might get some breakthrough bleeding or spotting of blood from your vagina.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

How long to take it for

For period problems or endometriosis, you'll usually take medroxyprogesterone for short courses over 2 or 3 months. Sometimes you'll need to take another course if your symptoms come back. Your doctor will advise you on how long to take it for.

For hot flushes caused by prostate cancer treatment, you'll usually take medroxyprogesterone for 10 weeks at first. Your doctor will then review how well it's working and advise you whether to keep taking it.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of medroxyprogesterone, it could give you more of the common side effects.