Drug Detail:Megestrol (Megestrol [ meh-jess-trol ])
Drug Class: Hormones / antineoplastics Progestins
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer-Palliative
Tablets:
40 mg orally 4 times a day
Comments:
- At least 2 months of continuous treatment is considered an adequate period for determining the efficacy of this drug.
Use: For palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the breast (i.e., recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic disease); it should not be used in lieu of currently accepted procedures such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
Usual Adult Dose for Endometrial Carcinoma
Tablets:
40 to 320 mg orally daily in divided doses
Comments:
- At least 2 months of continuous treatment is considered an adequate period for determining the efficacy of this drug.
Use: For palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the endometrium (i.e., recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic disease); it should not be used in lieu of currently accepted procedures such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss
Suspension (40 mg/mL):
800 mg orally once a day (20 mL/day)
OR
Suspension (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (5 mL/day)
OR
Suspension ES (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (1 mL/day)
Comments:
- NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
- Shake container well before using.
- This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
- Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
- This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.
Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Usual Adult Dose for Anorexia
Suspension (40 mg/mL):
800 mg orally once a day (20 mL/day)
OR
Suspension (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (5 mL/day)
OR
Suspension ES (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (1 mL/day)
Comments:
- NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
- Shake container well before using.
- This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
- Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
- This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.
Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Usual Adult Dose for Cachexia
Suspension (40 mg/mL):
800 mg orally once a day (20 mL/day)
OR
Suspension (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (5 mL/day)
OR
Suspension ES (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (1 mL/day)
Comments:
- NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
- Shake container well before using.
- This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
- Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
- This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.
Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
- Pregnancy
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- Obtain a negative pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating therapy with this drug.
Storage requirements:
- Store at 25C (77F); excursions permitted to 15C to 30°C (59F to 86°F).
- Protect from temperatures above 40C (104F).
Monitoring:
- Renal function (particularly in the elderly).