How many mg of megestrol can you take for cachexia?
AIDS-Related Cachexia. Megace: 800 mg/day PO. Megace ES: 312.5-625 mg/day PO. Breast Cancer. 40 mg PO q6hr. Endometrial Cancer. 40-320 mg/day PO in divided doses; evaluate efficacy after 2 months of treatment; up to 800 mg/day may be used. Cancer-Related Cachexia (Off-label) 480-600 mg/day PO. Dosing Modifications
Is megestrol acetate effective in the treatment of anorexia‐cachexia syndrome?
Dosage has not been established. In a randomized, 4-arm phase II study in 144 evaluable patients, 1 partial response (PR) was reported in 37 patients who received initial treatment with megestrol acetate 150 mg/m2/day PO in 3 divided doses; additionally, 2 PR were reported in 48 patients who crossed over to the megestrol arm after failing initial therapy with one of the other 3 study ...
How many mg of megestrol should I take for breast cancer?
Mar 28, 2013 · We analysed low doses versus high doses of megestrol. However, the definitions of low dose and high dose were according to those used in each trial. Accordingly, in some trials (such as Beller 1997 ) low doses of MA were described as 160 mg and high doses as 480 mg; while in Wanke 2007 low doses were defined as 575 mg and high doses as 800 mg.
What is the efficacy of megestrol 20 mg PO twice daily?
Aug 11, 2020 · MEGACE Oral Suspension is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. The recommended adult initial dosage of MEGACE Oral Suspension is 800 mg/day (20 mL/day). Shake container well before using.
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: This medication is used to treat cancer of the breast or uterus. Megestrol is similar to a natural substance made by your body called progesterone.
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
Can megestrol be used for breast cancer?
Breast cancer in which estrogen and/or progesterone receptors are positive are more likely to respond to megestrol. The use of megestrol in other types of neoplastic disease is not recommended. 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. Comparable studies in rats and studies in monkeys are not associated with an increased incidence of tumors. Pituitary tumors were observed in female rats treated with 3.9 or 10 mg/kg/day of megestrol acetate for 2 years. The relationship of the dog tumors to humans is unknown but should be considered in assessing the benefit-to-risk ratio when prescribing megestrol and in surveillance of patients on therapy.
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.
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]
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 acetate safe for children?
Safety and effectiveness of megestrol acetate in infants and other pediatric patients have not been established. However, megestrol acetate continues to be investigated in children with significant weight loss due to cancer and/or cancer therapy.
Is dofetilide a renal cationic secretion inhibitor?
Dofetilide: (Severe) All inhibitors of renal cationic secretion, including megestrol, are contraindicated with dofetilide. In a population pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma dofetilide concentrations, the mean clearance of dofetilide was 15% lower in patients receiving inhibitors of tubular organic cation transport.
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.
Can megestrol acetate cause fetal harm?
Megestrol acetate may cause fetal har m when administered to a pregnant woman. For animal data on fetal effects, see PRECAUTIONS: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility: Impairment Of Fertility. There are no adequate and well-controlled 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.
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.
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.
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 pharmacokinetics?
Pharmacokinetic studies show that there are no significant alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters of zidovudine or rifabutin to warrant dosage adjustment when megestrol acetate is administered with these drugs. The effects of zidovudine or rifabutin on the pharmacokinetics of megestrol acetate were not studied.
What is cachexia in cancer?
Cancer cachexia is a secondary diagnosis in patients with advanced cancer that is similar to protein-energy malnutrition. The patient exhibits progressive weight loss, anorexia, wasting, immunosuppression, altered basal metabolism, and electrolyte and fluid abnormalities.
How to treat Xerostomia?
Xerostomia would be treated by providing liquids and foods that are moist. Neutropenia results in an increased susceptibility to infection; therefore, food safety guidelines must be strictly followed in preparation and handling of foods for the patient. Parenteral nutrition support should be routinely considered for.
What is chemoprevention?
Chemoprevention is the#N#a. pharmacologic use of nutrients to suppress or reverse carcinogenesis.#N #b. pharmacologic use of medications to treat cancer.#N#c. use of CAM therapy to prevent or treat cancer.#N#d. reduction of carcinogenic growth factors in the blood.
What is the pharmacologic use of nutrients to treat cancer?
ANS: A. Cancer chemoprevention involves the pharmacologic use of nutrients, such as beta-carotene, selenium, and vitamin E, to suppress or reverse carcinogenesis. Chemotherapy is the pharmacologic use of medications to treat cancer after it develops.
What is the function of tumor necrosis factor?
ANS: C. Tumor necrosis factor, is a cytokine protein that promotes breakdown of both protein and fat stores to provide adequate energy for tumor cells. At the same time, an insulin resistance occurs because of the excessive fatty acid oxidation.
What is short bowel syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome is a result of radiation-induced enteritis and small bowel resection. Because of the decreased length of the bowel, maldigestion, malabsorption, dehydration, and malnutrition are common side effects.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
When radiation therapy is used to treat head and neck cancer, sore throat, mucositis, and dental and gum destruction can occur.