Adult Dosing

Palliative treatment of breast carcinoma

• 40 mg (TABS) PO qid

Palliative treatment of endometrial carcinoma

• 10-80 mg (TABS) PO qid

AIDS associated wasting

• 800 mg/day (20 mL) suspension PO Daily; may decrease to 400 mg/day (10 mL) after 1 month. Range: 400-800 mg/day
• Alt: may give 625 mg/day Megace ES (5 mL) suspension

Pediatric Dosing

• Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established

[Outline]

• Adult Dosing
• Pediatric Dosing

• Megestrol (tablets) is indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced inoperable, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of breast or endometrium; either alone or in combination with surgery or radiation
• Megestrol (suspension) is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, weight loss, and cachexia associated with AIDS

• Hx. of hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any component of the formulation
• Known or suspected pregnancy

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Renal impairment: Caution advised; dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

See Supplemental Patient Information

• Use of megestrol in other types of neoplastic disease is not recommended
• May cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
• Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant
• New-onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes and overt Cushing’s syndrome have been reported with long-term use
• May suppress hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during chronic administration; consider the possibility of adrenal suppression in any patient receiving or being withdrawn from chronic therapy when signs and/or symptoms suggestive of hypoadrenalism are noted during stress or in unstressed state; laboratory evaluation and replacement/stress doses of rapid-acting glucocorticoid should be considered

Cautions: Use cautiously in

• Renal impairment
• Diabetes
• Hx. of thrombophlebitis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Geriatric population

Supplemental Patient Information

• Advise patients to report any adverse reaction experiences while taking megestrol
• Instruct patients to notify physician if they become pregnant while taking this medication

Megace interacts with :

	Bactrim
	Dofetilide
	Septra
	Tikosyn

Pregnancy Category:D (TABS); X (Suspension)

Breastfeeding: Safety unknown; due to the potential for adverse effects on the newborn, breastfeeding is not recommended.

• GI: Nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, vomiting, dyspepsia
• GU: Impotence, breakthrough menstrual bleeding, libido decreased, urinary frequency
• DERM: Rash, alopecia, sweating
• CV: Hypertension, asthenia, heart failure, thromboembolic phenomena, thrombophlebitis
• METABOLIC: Weight gain, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance
• CNS: Headache, mood changes, malaise, hot flashes
• RESP: Dyspnea, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
• MISC: Edema, fever, pain, tumor flare

• Antineoplastic; The antineoplastic action of Megace on carcinoma of the breast is unclear. However, it is known to compete for progesterone, androgen and glucocorticoid receptors, and affect pituitary functions
• Well absorbed after oral administration
• Metabolized by liver
• Renally excreted: 66.4%; feces: 19.8%
• Half life: 13-104.9 hrs (mean: 34.2 hrs)

US Trade Name(s)

• Megace
• Megace ES

US Availability

megestrol (generic)

• TABS: 20, 40 mg
• SUSP: 40 mg/mL

Megace

• SUSP: 40 mg/mL

Megace ES

• SUSP: 125 mg/mL

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• Megace-OS

Canadian Availability

megestrol (generic)

• TABS: 40, 160 mg

Megace-OS

• SUSP: 40 mg/mL

UK Trade Name(s)

• Megace

UK Availability

Megace

• TABS: 160 mg

Australian Trade Name(s)

• Megace

Australian Availability

Megace

• TABS: 160 mg

[Outline]

Endocrine/Metabolic

Sex Hormones

Progestins

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Sex Hormones

Progestins

Hematology/Oncology

Antineoplastics

Hormones/Antineoplastics

Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.

• Megace ES 625 MG/5ML SUSP [Bottle] (PAR)
  150 5ml = $640.01
  450 5ml = $1813.9

Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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