Megestrol Acetate | Side Effects | Precautions | Uses | Dosage

Megestrol acetate (MGA), marketed under the brand name Megace, among others, is a man-made hormone (progestin) that is used for appetite stimulation and treatment of certain cancers.

This medicine helps people regain weight lost due to illness and also treats hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and endometrial cancer effectively.

What are the Uses of Megestrol Acetate?

Megestrol Acetate is available in the form of tablets, syrup and injection. It is used to stimulate appetite, manage weight loss, and treat hormone-related cancers.

• Used as a supportive medication to treat severe loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Used in managing cachexia (muscle wasting)
• Promotes weight gain in cancer or AIDS-related weight loss(> 10% of baseline body weight)
• Used in hormone therapy for breast and endometrial cancers
• Occasionally used for birth control under medical guidance

Conditions Megestrol Acetate Treats

This medicine is primarily used to treat weight loss and hormone-sensitive cancers.

• Advanced breast cancer
• Endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus lining)
• Loss of appetite in cancer or AIDS patients
• Unintentional weight loss over 10% of body weight
• Muscle wasting due to chronic illness

Secondary Uses of Megestrol Acetate

Besides its primary uses, Megestrol may be used in other conditions under medical supervision.

• Off-label use in birth control
• Menstrual disorders
• Potential use in menopausal symptoms management (as per physician advice)

How Does Megestrol Acetate Work (Mechanism of Action)?

Megestrol mimics the hormone progesterone and alters hormone levels to treat cancer and improve appetite.

It blocks the hormones that promote tumor growth and boosts appetite by affecting hormone signals in the brain, leading to weight gain and energy restoration.

Why is Megestrol Acetate drug prescribed?

• Megestrol acetate tablets are used to relieve symptoms and reduce pain caused by advanced breast cancer and advanced endometrial cancer (cancer in the lining of the uterus).
• Megestrol oral suspension is being used for treating lack of appetite, malnutrition, and severe weight loss in patients with acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• Megestrol should not be used to prevent appetite loss or weight loss in patients who have not yet experienced these symptoms.
• It helps treat breast and endometrial cancers by affecting female hormones involved in cancer growth. It also promotes weight gain by stimulating appetite.

How is Megestrol Acetate drug administered?

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.

What is the recommended dosage for Megestrol Acetate?

Always follow your doctor's dosage instructions, as the amount depends on your health condition and treatment goals.

• The dosage of megestrol acetate 160 mg/day (40 mg four times daily) used to treat breast cancer.
• For the treatment of endometrial carcinoma, the dosage is 40 to 320 mg/day in divided doses.
• For weight loss the dosage decided by your doctor based on individual needs
• Taken orally as a tablet or liquid suspension

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Megestrol Acetate?

• If you miss a dose of Megestrol Acetate, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
• Continue with your regular daily dosing schedule as prescribed.

What Happens If I Overdose on Megestrol Acetate?

• If overdosed, Megestrol Acetate can be harmful and requires immediate medical attention.
• Symptoms may include fainting, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness. Seek emergency help if these signs appear.

What to Avoid While Taking Megestrol Acetate

Avoid self-medicating or changing your dose without your doctor's guidance.

• Do not take more than prescribed
• Avoid alcohol unless your doctor says it's safe
• Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements

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What are the Side Effects of Megestrol Acetate?

Like all medicines, Megestrol Acetate syrup or tablets can cause side effects, some common and some serious.

Common Megestrol Acetate side effects

• Impotence
• Unforeseen menstrual bleeding
• Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep
• Gas
• Rashes

Serious Megestrol Acetate Side Effects

• Nausea
• Smoking
• Dizziness
• Impairment
• Vision blurred
• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme starvation
• Pain in the leg
• Shortness of breath
• Sharp, crushing pain in the chest

Precautions for Megestrol Acetate

Megestrol isn't suitable for everyone, and certain people should use it with caution.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist whether you are allergic to megestrol, any other drugs, or any of the inactive ingredients in megestrol capsules, suspensions or condensed suspensions.
• Tell your doctor whether you have or have ever had a blood clot in your body, a stroke, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor whether you are pregnant, expect to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you get pregnant while taking megestrol, call your doctor right away. Megestrol may damage the fetus. Do not breastfeed while taking megestrol.
• Speak to your doctor about the dangers and benefits of megestrol if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not be permitted.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Megestrol Acetate?

Megestrol should be used cautiously in older adults and under strict supervision in younger patients.

The safety of this medication in children is not established. In older adults, risks like blood clots may be higher.

Alcohol or Food Interactions with Megestrol Acetate

Megestrol may interact with certain foods and alcohol-be mindful of what you consume.

Avoid excessive alcohol. Take medicine as prescribed, with or without food, based on your doctor's advice.

Possible Interactions with Other Medications

Megestrol may interact with other medicines, affecting its effectiveness or increasing side effects.

• Some drugs may alter the way Megestrol works or increase side effects.
• Megestrol can interact with blood thinners like warfarin, potentially affecting blood clotting.
• It may interfere with the effectiveness of certain antibiotics or HIV drugs such as indinavir.
• Always inform your doctor about all medications and supplements
• Keep a record of all the medications you are using, the prescribed and non-prescribed drugs as well as herbal products, and check them with your doctor and pharmacist.
• Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any drug without your doctor's permission.
• Consult a doctor before taking it.

How Should Megestrol Acetate Be Stored?

Proper storage ensures the effectiveness and safety of the medicine.

• Store at room temperature (20°C to 25°C)
• Keep away from heat, light and moisture.
• 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.

What Happens If Megestrol Acetate Is Not Stored Properly?

Improper storage may reduce the drug's effectiveness or make it unsafe to use.

Keep Megestrol out of reach of children. Discard unused or expired medication properly as advised by your pharmacist.

Megestrol vs Cyproheptadine

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

References

Megestrol Acetate for the Prevention of Hot Flashes Megestrol: MedlinePlus Drug Information Megestrol - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf