Megestrol Acetate (megestrol acetate)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Megestrol acetate, a synthetic progestin, is an antineoplastic agent and appetite stimulant.
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.
Generic name: megestrol acetate
Pronunciation: (me-JES-trol)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Megestrol Acetate
Indications
The following indications are listed for Megestrol Acetate:
- Anorexia From Hiv
- Cachexia Due To Hiv
- Weight Loss Due To Hiv
Also known as: Aids Wasting, Aids Wasting Syndrome, Aids-Associated Cachexia, Anorexia Associated With Hiv Infection, Anorexia With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, Cachexia Due To Hiv Infection, Decreased Body Weight Due To Hiv Disease, Wasting Disease Due To Hiv Disease, Wasting Syndrome Due To Hiv Infection, Weight Loss Due To Hiv Infection.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Megestrol acetate is administered orally.
Megestrol acetate oral suspensions containing 200 mg/5 mL are not bioequivalent with the more concentrated oral suspension containing 625 mg/5 mL (Megace(R) ES). Threfore, the formulations are not interchangeable on a mg-per-mg basis. Patients receiving Megace(R) ES should be informed about the formulation differences to avoid overdosing or underdosing of the drug.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
Although there are no adequate and controlled studies to date using megestrol acetate in pregnant women, the drug has been shown to produce fetal harm in rats. Administration of the drug to rats produced decreases in fetal weight and live births and feminization of male fetuses. No teratogenicity studies in animals have been performed using megestrol acetate dosages that are clinically relevant to humans. Although progestins have been used beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent habitual abortion, there is no adequate evidence from well-controlled studies to substantiate the efficacy of progestins for these uses during any phase of pregnancy; however, there is evidence of potential adverse effects on the fetus when these drugs are administered during pregnancy. In addition, in most women, the cause of abortion is a defective ovum, which progestins could not be expected to influence. Because of their uterine-relaxant effects, progestins may delay spontaneous abortion of fertilized defective ova. There is evidence of increased risk of hypospadias in male neonates associated with progestin use during pregnancy; however, there are insufficient data about the risk in female fetuses. Because of increased genital abnormalities caused by progestins in both male and female fetuses, the manufacturer states that megestrol acetate is not recommended during pregnancy. If a woman becomes pregnant while receiving megestrol acetate or is inadvertently exposed to the drug during pregnancy, she should notify her physician and should be advised of the potential risks to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised not to become pregnant while receiving megestrol acetate therapy, and they should be advised to use an effective form of contraception while receiving the drug.
The manufacturer states that because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to megestrol acetate in nursing infants, women receiving the drug should discontinue nursing.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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