Megestrol (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
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.

How this medication should be used
Megestrol comes as a tablet, a suspension (liquid), and a concentrated 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 uses for this medicine
Megestrol is also sometimes used to treat malnutrition in patients with cancer, prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of a male reproductive gland called the prostate), endometriosis (condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body), and endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the lining of the uterus). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

Special 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 and indinavir (Crixivan). 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 breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking megestrol, call your doctor immediately. Megestrol may harm the fetus. Do not breastfeed while you are taking megestrol.
 * 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.

Special dietary instructions
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor side effect
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

Severe side effects
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 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.

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
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.

Brand names

 * Megace®
 * Megace® ES