Formulary
Megestrol acetate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Megestrol acetate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Megestrol acetate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Megestrol acetate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Treatment of breast cancer**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 160 mg once daily.
Cautions
Elderly; history of thrombophlebitis
Contraindications
Acute porphyrias
Side effects
Common or very common Adrenal insufficiency; alopecia; appetite increased; asthenia; carpal tunnel syndrome; constipation; Cushing's syndrome; diabetes mellitus; diarrhoea; dyspnoea; embolism and thrombosis; erectile dysfunction; flatulence; glucose tolerance impaired; heart failure; hot flush; hypercalcaemia; hyperglycaemia; hypertension; lethargy; menorrhagia; mood altered; nausea; oedema; pain; skin reactions; tumour flare; urinary frequency increased; vomiting; weight increased
Pregnancy
Avoid. Reversible feminisation of male fetuses reported in animal studies. Risk of hypospadias in male fetuses and masculinisation of female fetuses.
Breast feeding
Discontinue breast-feeding.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment.
Medicinal forms
Tablet,Tablet,Suspension
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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