Uses
Megestrol tablets are used to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by advanced breast cancer and advanced endometrial cancer (cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus). Megestrol suspension is used to treat loss of appetite, malnutrition, and severe weight loss in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Megestrol should not be used to prevent loss of appetite and severe weight loss in patients who have not yet developed this condition. Megestrol is a man-made version of the human hormone progesterone. It treats breast cancer and endometrial cancer by affecting female hormones involved in cancer growth. It increases weight gain by increasing appetite.
Side Effects Of Megestrol
Megestrol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- impotence
- decreased sexual desire
- unexpected vaginal bleeding
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- gas
- rash
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- weakness
- blurred vision
- extreme thirst
- frequent urination
- extreme hunger
- leg pain
- difficulty breathing
- sharp, crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest
- slow or difficult speech
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
Megestrol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking megestrol:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to megestrol, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in megestrol tablets, suspension, or concentrated suspension. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention antibiotics, indinavir (Crixivan), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to adjust the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a blood clot anywhere in the body, a stroke, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking megestrol, call your doctor immediately. Megestrol may harm the fetus. Do not breastfeed while you are taking megestrol.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking megestrol if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take megestrol to treat loss of appetite and weight loss.
- you should know that megestrol may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women. However, you should not assume that you cannot become pregnant. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, during or shortly after your treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking megestrol.
Dosage Of Megestrol
Megestrol comes as a tablet, an oral suspension (liquid), and a concentrated oral suspension (Megace ES) to take by mouth. The tablets and suspension are usually taken several times a day. The concentrated suspension is usually taken once a day. Take megestrol at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take megestrol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
The concentrated suspension is used in different dosages than the regular suspension. Do not switch from one to the other without talking to your doctor.
Do not stop taking megestrol without talking to your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to megestrol.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
