Megestrol acetate (MGA), marketed under the brand name Megace, among others, is a progestin drug that is used primarily as an appetite stimulant to treat waste syndromes such as cachexia. It is also used to treat breast cancer and endometrial cancer and has been used for birth control.
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Get A Second OpinionUsed as a supportive medication to treat severe loss of appetite (anorexia); muscle wasting (cachexia) and significant weight loss (> 10% of baseline body weight) associated with cancer and/or AIDS.
Megestrol is delivered by mouth in the form of a tablet or as a liquid suspension. The amount of megestrol you will receive depends on a variety of factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health conditions, and the type of cancer or disease you have. Your doctor will decide your dosage and your schedule.
Megestrol acetate tablets are used for alleviating the symptoms and reducing pain which is caused by advanced breast cancer and advanced endometrial cancer (cancer that occurs in the lining of the uterus). Megestrol suspension is being used for treating lack of appetite, malnutrition, and extreme weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Megestrol should not be used to avoid loss of appetite and extreme weight loss in patients who have not yet developed. Megestrol is a man-made form of a human hormone called progesterone. It treats breast cancer and endometrial cancer by affecting female hormones that are involved in cancer development. It increases your weight gain by increasing your appetite.
Serious Megestrol Acetate Side Effects:
Megestrol is a type of hormonal therapy. Hormones are chemical compounds produced by glands in the body that enter the bloodstream and cause effects in other tissues. (For example, testosterone hormone produced in the testicles is responsible for male characteristics such as deeper voice and increased body hair). Used as a hormone therapy to treat cancer is focused on the finding that receptors for particular hormones are required for cell development.
Hormone therapy works by preventing the development of a certain hormone, blocking hormone receptors, or substituting chemically identical agents for an active hormone that cannot be used by a tumor cell. The various forms of hormone therapy are classified by their function and/or the type of hormone that is affected.
Megestrol is known as a progestin (a man-made form of the hormone progesterone). It has properties that interact with the normal estrogen cycle.This interferes with the stimulation of cell growth in estrogen-dependent tumor cells. It is also believed to have a direct effect on the lining of the uterine wall (endometrium).
The side effect of megestrol was weight gain. The exact mechanism of this effect is unknown, but the results contribute to an increase in body fat. Taking advantage of this side effect, megestrol has been researched and used to treat extreme loss of appetite (anorexia), loss of muscle (cachexia) and loss of weight. associate with cancer and AIDS
The dosage of megestrol acetate used to treatbreast cancer is 160 mg/day (40 mg four times daily). For the treatment of endometrial carcinoma, the dosage is 40 to 320 mg/day in divided doses. Megestrol acetate can interact with other medications. Tell your doctor of all the drugs and supplements you use.
If you are using Megestrol Acetate on a daily basis and skip a dose, use it as soon as you recall it. If it is near the next dose, skip the skipped dose. Using the next dose on a daily basis. Do Not double the dose to recover the missed dose.
If overdosed, Megestrol Acetate can be harmful. When someone has overdosed and has extreme signs such as passing out or respiratory problems can occur.
Store it away from heat, light and moisture at room temperature. Don't store it in the toilet.
Do not flush the drug down the toilet or dump it into the sink unless told to do so. Disposal of this product is very important when it has expired or is no longer required. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more information about how to safely dispose of your product.
| Basis | Megestrol | Cyproheptadine |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed for | Given for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, AIDS Associated Wasting, Anorexia, Breast Cancer Palliative, Cachexia, Endometrial Cancer, Endometrial Hyperplasia, Hot Flashes. Can also be prescribed off the weight loss label. |
Given for the Allergic Rhinitis, Anorexia Nervosa,Severe Allergic Reactions, Headaches, Migraine, Cushing Syndrome, Pruritus, Urticaria. It can also be administered off the label for Failure to Survive. |
| Drug class | Megestrol is from class progestins | Cyproheptadine is from class Antihistamines |
| Dosage | 40 mg/ml | 4mg |
| Forms available | Oral suspension Oral tablet |
Oral syrup Oral tablet |
| Generic availability | Yes | Yes |
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Used primarily as an appetite stimulant to treat waste syndromes such as cachexia. It is also used to treat breast cancer and endometrial cancer and has been used for birth control. Treatment of endometrial cancers and breasts. Used as a supportive medication to treat severe loss of appetite (anorexia); muscle wasting (cachexia) and significant weight loss (> 10% of baseline body weight) associated with cancer and/or AIDS.
The best time to take megestrol acetate is usually determined by your healthcare provider and depends on the condition being treated. It's commonly taken with food or after a meal to minimize stomach upset.
People who are allergic to megestrol acetate or any of its components should not take it. Additionally, individuals with a history of blood clots, stroke, or certain types of cancer should avoid it.
The duration of megestrol treatment varies depending on the condition being treated and the individual's response to the medication. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate duration of treatment for your specific situation.
Sleep problems, fever, gas, diminished sexual ability/desire, weight gain, loss of appetite, or stomach upset can occur. Women can experience changes in their menstrual cycles, including unpredictable bleeding. If any of these symptoms persist or get worse, inform your doctor right away.
Patients can normally increase their appetite within the first few weeks of beginning the drug. Weight gain, often in the form of fat, will take longer. Resistance training coupled with weight gain can lead to improved lean muscle mass. Typical period of treatment could be 12 weeks.
It is a pregnancy steroid and a derivative of progesterone.
Tablets and suspensions are usually taken many times a day. Concentrated suspensions are typically taken once a day. Take megestrol at about the same time per day.
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