Pronunciation: meh-JESS-trol
Generic Name: Megestrol
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Megestrol is used for:
The treatment of cancer of the breast or uterus. It may also be used to treat prostate cancer and other conditions as determined by your doctor. It should not be used in place of surgery, radiation treatments, or chemotherapy.
Megestrol is a progesterone. It replaces or adds to the primary progestin hormone produced by the female ovaries. Progestins normally prepare the uterus (womb) for implantation of a fertilized egg. They are also needed for the maintenance of a normal pregnancy. However, when given as prescription medicines, they can prevent ovulation and inhibit uterine contractions. Megestrol also works as an antiandrogen, which prevent androgens (eg, testosterone) from binding to and activating tumor cells of the prostate.
Do NOT use Megestrol if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Megestrol
- you are using it as a test for pregnancy
- you are pregnant or suspect that you could be pregnant
- you have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- you have a history of blood clots in your lung or elsewhere
- you have had a stroke or are taking dofetilide
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Megestrol:
Some medical conditions may interact with Megestrol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have diabetes or any other type of tumor
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Megestrol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Rifampin because it may decrease Megestrol's effectiveness
- Dofetilide because the risk of cardiovascular toxicity may be increased.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Megestrol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Megestrol:
Use Megestrol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Megestrol by mouth with or without food.
- Megestrol must be taken for at least 2 months to determine its effectiveness.
- If you miss a dose of Megestrol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Megestrol.
Important safety information:
- Megestrol may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Megestrol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- While using or being taken off Megestrol, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone) especially if your body is stressed because of a major infection, surgery, or injury. Contact your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: unusual weakness, weight loss, dizziness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you use or have used Megestrol.
- Megestrol is not intended for use in the prevention of weight loss.
- Diabetes patients - Megestrol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Megestrol should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- Women who may become pregnant should use a nonhormonal form of birth control (eg, condoms) while they are using Megestrol.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Megestrol if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Megestrol is found in the breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Megestrol.
Possible side effects of Megestrol:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Breast tenderness; headache; increased appetite or thirst; indigestion; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood clots; dizziness; leg pain; miscarriage; nausea; swelling of the ankles or fingers; unexplained vaginal bleeding; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Megestrol side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Megestrol:
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Protect from temperatures above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Megestrol out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Megestrol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Megestrol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Megestrol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Megestrol resources
- Megestrol Side Effects (in more detail)
- Megestrol Dosage
- Megestrol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Megestrol Drug Interactions
- Megestrol Support Group
- 13 Reviews for Megestrol - Add your own review/rating
- Megestrol Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Megace Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Megace Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Megace Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Megace ES Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Megace ES Consumer Overview
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