Precautions
Megace® ES (625 mg/5 mL) does not contain the same amount of megestrol acetate as Megace® oral suspension or any of the other megestrol acetate oral suspensions. Megace® ES contains 625 mg of megestrol acetate per 5 mL (125mg/mL) whereas Megace® oral suspension and other megestrol acetate oral suspensions contain 800 mg per 20 mL (40 mg/mL).
Does Megace ES contain the same amount of megestrol acetate as Megace® oral?
Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss: Alternatively, 625 mg/5 mL of the concentrated formula (Megace ES formula) may be given. Note: 800 mg/20 mL of the regular formula is equivalent to 625 mg/ 5 mL of the concentrated formula.
What is the dosage for Megace for weight loss?
Before taking this medicine. You should not use Megace if you are allergic to megestrol, or if you are pregnant. To make sure Megace is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: diabetes; an adrenal gland disorder; or. a stroke or blood clot.
What should I know before taking Megace?
Do not use Megace if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. In animal studies, megestrol caused low birth weight and other problems when used during pregnancy.
Can I take Megace If I am pregnant?
How often do you take Megace?
You usually take megestrol acetate once a day, at the same time each day. But sometimes the dose is divided up, so that you take the tablets a couple of times a day.
How often should you take megestrol?
Megestrol comes as a 20 or 40 mg tablet, or as an oral suspension. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Since each person responds differently to medical treatments, your doctor will recommend the dose and duration of therapy that is best for you.
How long should Megace be used?
A typical treatment duration may be 12 weeks. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of adrenal suppression. The newer MA nanocrystal oral suspension (Megace ES) can be given in a smaller volume and depends less on a patient taking it in the fed state to achieve a clinical benefit.
How long can you take megestrol for?
Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients continue to use megestrol acetate for periods of up to 3 years or longer with continued control of hot flashes. This treatment appears to be relatively well tolerated.
How much Megace should I take?
The recommended adult initial dosage of MEGACE Oral Suspension is 800 mg/day (20 mL/day). Shake container well before using. In clinical trials evaluating different dose schedules, daily doses of 400 and 800 mg/day were found to be clinically effective.
Can you just stop taking megestrol?
Special instructions for megestrol acetate Do not stop taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to do so. If you have taken this medicine for more than a year, you should slowly decrease the dose over a period of 2 to 3 weeks before you stop taking it.
How long does it take Megace to stimulate appetite?
It may take up to 3 weeks to first notice an improved appetite. It may take up to 12 weeks to notice weight gain.
How safe is megestrol?
Megestrol acetate (MA) is neither safe nor effective for stimulating appetite in malnourished nursing home residents.
What is megestrol 40 mg used for?
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.
How long can you take Megace for bleeding?
Amongst the three treatment regimens, megestrol acetate was the fastest at suppressing uterine bleeding from a mean of 54 days to 3 days with the lowest bleeding score (4.9 ± 1.1). It was equally effective for treating both patients with and without endometrial hyperplasia who had ET of more than 11 mm.
Can you cut megestrol in half?
It is also used to improve appetite. Take with or without food. Take with food if medication causes an upset stomach. Swallow each tablet whole.
Is Megace considered chemotherapy?
Megestrol (Megace®) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast and womb cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. This is called secondary cancer. It may also be used to treat breast and womb cancer that has come back after treatment (recurrent). Megestrol can also be used to improve your appetite.
How long can you take megestrol acetate?
How you have megestrol acetate. You have megestrol acetate as tablets. When you start taking it you should take them for at least 2 months. This is to find out if they are working. You can take them for many years.
How long after stopping a cancer drug can you take it?
Talk to your specialist or advice line before you stop taking a cancer drug. If you miss a dose and remember within a few hours , you can take it as soon as possible. But if it is almost time for your next dose, miss the forgotten dose and carry on as before.
Does megestrol acetate help cancer?
Megestrol can interfere with the hormone balance in the body so that the body makes smaller amounts of the hormones that some cancers depend on to grow. It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on the cancer to stop it growing .
Can megestrol cause numbness in hand?
you might get pain in the area of the cancer, when you first start taking megestrol - your doctor or nurse can suggest painkillers to take. carpal tunnel syndrome can cause a weak grip, pain, numbness or tingling in your hand - tell your doctor.
Is megestrol acetate a man made hormone?
It is a man made version of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is one of the female hormones but men also produce a small amount of it. Megestrol acetate is a treatment for the following cancers that have come back or spread from where they started. breast cancer. womb cancer.
What happens if you stop Megace?
When you stop using Megace ES after long-term use, you may have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
What is Megace ES?
Megace ES ( megestrol) is a man-made chemical similar to the female hormone progesterone. Megace ES is used to treat loss of appetite and wasting syndrome in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Megace ES is not for use in preventing weight loss or wasting syndrome.
Why does my medication need to change?
Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes. Your dosage needs may also change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have an infection.
Can you take Megace if you are allergic to Megestrol?
You should not use Megace ES if you are allergic to megestrol, or if you are pregnant. To make sure Megace ES is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: diabetes; an adrenal gland disorder; or. a stroke or blood clot. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Can you take Megace if you are pregnant?
Do not use Megace ES if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Before you take Megace ES, tell your doctor if you have diabetes or a history of stroke or blood clot.
Can megestrol cause low birth weight?
In animal studies, megestrol caused low birth weight and other problems when used during pregnancy. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breastfeed a baby.
How long does megestrol acetate last in monkeys?
In female beagles, megestrol acetate (0.01, 0.1, or 0.25 mg/kg/day) administered for up to 7 years induced both benign and malignant tumors of the breast. In female monkeys, no tumors were found following 10 years of treatment with 0.01, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/kg/day megestrol acetate.
How to use megestrol acetate?
Patients using megestrol acetate should receive the following instructions: 1 This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. 2 Report any adverse reaction experiences while taking this medication. 3 Use contraception while taking this medication if you are a woman capable of becoming pregnant. 4 Notify your physician if you become pregnant while taking this medication.
What is Megace used for?
Megace is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of loss of appetite and wasting syndrome in people AIDS -Related Cachexia, breast cancer or endometrial cancer. Megace may be used alone or with other medications. Megace belongs to a class of drugs called Antineoplastics, Hormones; Progestins; Appetite Stimulants.
What are the side effects of Megace?
The most common side effects of Megace include: nausea, gas, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, impotence, sexual problems, rash, and.
Does megeace increase neutrophils?
Long-term treatment with MEGACE may increase the risk of respiratory infections. A trend toward increased frequency of respiratory infections, decreased lymphocyte counts, and increased neutrophil counts was observed in a 2-year chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of megestrol acetate conducted in rats.
Can Megace be used for weight loss?
Therapy with MEGACE Oral Suspension for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes of weight loss are sought and addressed. These treatable causes include possible malignancies, systemic infections, gastrointestinal disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, and renal or psychiatric diseases.
Does zidovudine affect INR?
The effects of zidovudine or rifabutin on the pharmacokinetics of megestrol acetate were not studied. Megestrol acetate may interact with warfarin and increase International Normalized Ratio (INR). Closely monitor INR in patients taking MEGACE and warfarin.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Obtain a pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment; advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while taking drug
Pharmacology
Progestin derivative with antiestrogenic properties; interferes with estrogen cycle, resulting in lower luteinizing hormone (LH) titer; antineoplastic properties may come from direct effect on endometrium through anti-LH effect mediated via pituitary
Patient Handout
USES: Megestrol is used to treat loss of appetite and weight loss in people with AIDS. Improving your appetite and gaining weight may help you feel better and be more active.Megestrol is similar to a natural substance made by the body called progesterone.
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
How long does megestrol acetate last in dogs?
Close surveillance is indicated for any patient treated for recurrent or metastatic cancer. Administration of megestrol acetate to female dogs for up to 7 years is associated with an increased incidence of both benign and malignant tumors of the breast.
Can you breastfeed with megestrol?
Megestrol should not be used during breast-feeding since its effect on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production are not known. Alternate forms of feeding are recommended if megestrol therapy is essential to the mother. [31330] Megestrol is known to be excreted in human breast milk; the amount that an infant absorbs systemically per day is estimated to be 0.1% of the maternal daily ingested dose based on available data. [48281] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-1 infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1 to the breastfed child. [31330]
Is megestrol safe for pregnancy?
Megestrol is contraindicated during pregnancy. Based on animal studies, megestrol may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. There are no available human data to assess for any drug associated risks of miscarriage, birth defects, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Prior to use of megestrol, confirm that a female of childbearing potential is not pregnant. Females of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving megestrol treatment. If megestrol is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking megestrol, advise the patient of the potential hazard to the fetus. Reproduction studies were performed in pregnant rats at oral doses ranging from 0.05 to 12.5 mg/kg/day, which are below the maximum recommended human clinical dose (MRHD) based on body surface area. Reduction in fetal weight and number of live births were observed at 12.5 mg/kg/day (5 times lower than the MRHD) when dams were dosed on days 12 through 18 of pregnancy. Feminization of male fetuses also occurred when dams were dosed on days 13 through 20 of pregnancy at 3 mg/kg/day, approximately 22 times below the MRHD. [31330]
Is megestrol acetate toxic?
Megestrol acetate is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with renal impairment or renal failure. Care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function in patients with impaired renal function, especially in elderly adults.
Is megestrol a glucocorticoid?
The glucocorticoid activity of megestrol has not been fully evaluated, clinical cases of new onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre -existing diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and overt Cushing's syndrome have been reported in association with the chronic use of megestrol.
Does megestrol cause vaginal bleeding?
Megestrol is a progesterone derivative, which may induce vaginal bleeding in women.
Does megestrol affect renal function?
Renal Impairment. Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in renal impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed. However, megestrol is substantially excreted by the kidney and the risk of toxic reactions may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
What is the generic name for Megestrol?
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Megace is a trade name for Megestrol. Megestrol Acetate is another name for Megestrol. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Megace or other name Megestrol Acetate when referring to the generic drug name Megestrol.
Does Megestrol have CBC?
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking megestrol, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor.
What are the side effects of Megace?
sexual changes. Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above. The most common side effects of Megace ES include: nausea,
What is Megace ES?
Megace ES is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of AIDS-Related Cachexia, Breast Cancer and Endometrial Cancer. Megace ES may be used alone or with other medications. Megace ES belongs to a class of drugs called Antineoplastics, Hormones; Progestins; Appetite Stimulants. It is not known if Megace ES is safe and effective in children.
How long does megestrol acetate last in monkeys?
In female beagles, megestrol acetate (0.01, 0.1 or 0.25 mg/kg/day) administered for up to 7 years induced both benign and malignant tumors of the breast. In female monkeys, no tumors were found following 10 years of treatment with 0.01, 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg/day megestrol acetate.
How much megestrol acetate is in Megace?
Megace® ES is a milky white, lemon-lime flavored oral suspension containing 125 mg of megestrol acetate per mL. Megace® ES does not contain the same amount of megestrol acetate as Megace® oral suspension or any of the other megestrol acetate oral suspensions.
Does megestrol acetate increase appetite?
Several investigators have reported on the appetite enhancing property of megestrol acetate and its possible use in cachexia. The precise mechanism by which megestrol acetate produces effects in anorexia and cachexia is unknown at the present time.
Is megestrol acetate a glucocorticoid?
The glucocorticoid activity of megestrol acetate oral suspension has not been fully evaluated. Clinical cases of overt Cushing's Syndrome have been reported in association with the chronic use of megestrol acetate. In addition, clinical cases of adrenal insufficiency have been observed in patients receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol acetate therapy in the stressed and non-stressed state. Furthermore, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation testing has revealed the frequent occurrence of asymptomatic pituitary -adrenal suppression in patients treated with chronic megestrol acetate therapy. Therefore, the possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be considered in any patient receiving or being withdrawn from chronic Megace® ES therapy who presents with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of hypoadrenalism (e.g., hypotension, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness) in either the stressed or non-stressed state. Laboratory evaluation for adrenal insufficiency and consideration of replacement or stress doses of a rapidly acting glucocorticoid are strongly recommended in such patients. Failure to recognize inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis may result in death. Finally, in patients who are receiving or being withdrawn from chronic Megace® ES therapy, consideration should be given to the use of empiric therapy with stress doses of a rapidly acting glucocorticoid during stress or serious intercurrent illness (e.g., surgery, infection).
Can megestrol acetate harm a pregnant woman?
Megestrol acetate may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For animal data on fetal effects, see NonClinical Toxicology: Impairment of Fertility. There are no adequate and wellcontrolled studies in pregnant women. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking (receiving) this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.