Composition
Tab 40 mg/160 mg: Megestrol acetate 40 mg/160 mg. Cap 20 mg/40 mg: Megestrol acetate 20 mg/40 mg. Susp 40 mg: Per ml: Megestrol acetate 40 mg.
Indications & Dosage
Treatment of breast cancer: Adult: 160 mg daily in single or divided doses, for minimum period of 2 month. Endometrial carcinoma: Adult: 40-320 mg daily in divided doses, for minimum period of 2 month.
Contraindications
Acute porphyrias, genital cancer (unless progestogens are being used in the management of this condition), history during pregnancy of idiopathic jaundice or pemphigoid gestation is or severe pruritus, history of liver tumours, severe arterial disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Precautions
Asthma, cardiac dysfunction, conditions that may worsen with fluid retention, diabetes (progestogens can decrease glucose tolerance; monitor patient closely), epilepsy, history of depression, hypertension, migraine, susceptibility to thromboembolism
Interactions
Folate inhibitors.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Lactation
Contraindicated. Discontinue breast-feeding
Side Effects
Adrenal insufficiency, alopecia, anaphylactoid reactions, asthenia, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, Cushings syndrome, depression, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, fluid retention, headache, hirsutism, jaundice, loss of vision during treatment (discontinue treatment if papilloedema or retinal vascular lesions), menstrual disturbances, nausea, pruritus, skin reactions, tumour flare (with or without hypercalcaemia), urinary frequency, urticaria, vomiting, weight change .