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Megestrol acetate
Megestrol acetate (Megace)
Megestrol acetate
(meh-
JESS-trohl)
Pregnancy Category: D
Apo-Megestrol
Linmegestrol
Megace
Megace OS
Nu-Megestrol
(Rx)
Classification:
Synthetic progestin
See Also:
See also
Progesterone and Progestins
[ and
Antineoplastic Agents
][.
]
Action/Kinetics:
Antineoplastic activity is due to suppression of gonadotropins (antiluteinizing effect). Has appetite-enhancing properties (mechanism unknown). Contains tartrazine, which can cause allergic-type reactions, including asthma, often occurring in aspirin sensitivity.
Uses:
Tablets: Palliative treatment of advanced endometrial or breast cancer. Should not be used instead of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Oral suspension: Treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in clients with a diagnosis of AIDS.
Contraindications:
Use as a diagnostic aid test for pregnancy, in known or suspected pregnancy, or for prophylaxis to avoid weight loss. Use during the first 4 months of pregnancy.
Special Concerns:
Use with caution in clients with a history of thromboembolic disease. Use in HIV-infected women with endometrial or breast cancer has not been widely studied.
Long-term use may increase the risk of respiratory infections and may cause secondary adrenal suppression. Safety and efficacy in children have not been determined.
Side Effects:
GI: Diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, hepatomegaly, increased salivation, abdominal pain, oral moniliasis.
CV: Hypertension,
cardiomyopathy palpitation.
CNS: Insomnia, headache, paresthesia, confusion,
seizures depression, neuropathy, hypesthesia, abnormal thought process.
Respiratory: Pneumonia, dyspnea, cough, pharyngitis, chest pain, lung disorder, increased risk of respiratory infection with chronic use.
Dermatologic: Rash, alopecia, herpes, pruritus, vesiculobullous rash, sweating, skin disorder.
GU: Impotence, decreased libido, urinary frequency, albuminuria, urinary incontinence, UTI, gynecomastia.
Body as a whole: Asthenia, anemia, fever, pain, moniliasis, infection, sarcoma.
Miscellaneous: Leukopenia, edema, peripheral edema, amblyopia.
Laboratory Test Alterations:
Hyperglycemia,
 LDH.
How Supplied:
Suspension: 40 mg/mL;
Tablet: 20 mg, 40 mg
Dosage
?Oral Suspension
Appetite stimulant in AIDS clients.
Adults, initial: 800 mg/day (20 mL/day). The dose should be adjusted to 400 mg/day (10 mL/day) after 1 month.
?Tablets
Breast cancer.
40 mg q.i.d.
Endometrial cancer.
40-320 mg/day in divided doses. To determine efficacy, treatment should be continued for at least 2 months. |
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