Product image of Megace (Megestrol Acetate) supplied by GNH India

Megace

Active Ingredient:
Megestrol Acetate
Origin:
EU

Megace (Megestrol Acetate)

Megestrol Acetate, the active ingredient in Megace, is a progestin presented as an oral tablet for oral use. It is employed to stimulate appetite in patients with severe weight loss and to treat certain hormone‑sensitive cancers.

GNH India supplies Megace as a licensed, GDP‑compliant international pharmaceutical supplier serving hospitals, oncology centres, pharmacies and clinics worldwide. The company adheres to stringent quality standards and provides regulatory‑approved batches to meet global demand, with a distribution network that ensures timely delivery across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Manufacturer / TM Owner

Bausch Health Ireland Limited

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Indications & Clinical Uses

Megace is used in oncology and HIV‑related cachexia to address metabolic and hormonal pathways that cause severe weight loss.

  • Cachexia (AIDS or cancer): Improves appetite and promotes weight gain.
  • Advanced breast cancer: Reduces tumor progression in hormone‑responsive disease.
  • Endometrial cancer: Provides antineoplastic activity in progesterone‑sensitive tumors.

How It Works

  • Megestrol acetate is a synthetic progestogen that binds to intracellular progesterone receptors, modulating gene transcription. Its progestogenic activity exerts antineoplastic effects in hormone‑dependent tumors, while glucocorticoid‑like actions in the hypothalamus increase appetite and reduce catabolism, leading to weight gain in cachectic patients.

Side Effects

Megace may cause a range of adverse reactions, which are grouped by frequency.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea: mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset.
  • Fatigue: generalized tiredness, often transient.
  • Edema: peripheral swelling due to fluid retention.
  • Weight gain: paradoxical increase, sometimes from fluid accumulation.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

  • Thromboembolic events: deep‑vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
  • Adrenal suppression: reduced endogenous cortisol production, especially with abrupt discontinuation.
  • Severe allergic reactions: rash, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
  • Hyperglycemia: significant rise in blood glucose, particularly in diabetic patients.

Precautions & Warnings

Before initiating therapy, clinicians should assess baseline risk factors and monitor patients regularly.

  • Monitor weight: track changes to evaluate efficacy and detect fluid overload.
  • Assess blood glucose: hyperglycemia may develop, especially in diabetic patients.
  • Evaluate lipid profile: potential increases in cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Check for thrombotic risk: consider prophylaxis in high‑risk individuals.
  • Review hepatic function: liver enzymes may rise during therapy.
  • Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25°C, retain in original packaging, protect from moisture.

Avoid Interactions

Megace can interact with several drug classes; careful review is recommended.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

  • Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): may enhance anticoagulant effect, increasing bleeding risk.
  • CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, phenytoin): may reduce megestrol levels, diminishing efficacy.
  • Antidiabetic agents: may exacerbate hyperglycemia.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

  • Corticosteroids: additive glucocorticoid effects may increase fluid retention.
  • Hormonal contraceptives: may alter contraceptive efficacy.
  • Digoxin: possible increase in serum digoxin concentrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Megace (megestrol acetate) is prescribed primarily as an appetite stimulant in patients with severe weight loss due to AIDS‑related or cancer‑related cachexia, and as an antineoplastic agent for hormone‑sensitive advanced breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

Megestrol acetate is a synthetic progestogen that binds to progesterone receptors, influencing gene expression that slows tumor growth in hormone‑dependent cancers. It also exerts glucocorticoid‑like activity in the hypothalamus, enhancing appetite and reducing catabolic processes that lead to weight loss.

The appropriate dose of Megace is individualized by the prescribing clinician based on the patient’s condition, severity of cachexia or cancer stage, and response to therapy. No fixed regimen is provided here; dosing decisions are made by qualified healthcare professionals.

Safety of Megace in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Because potential risks to the fetus or infant are unknown, the drug is generally avoided in pregnant or nursing women unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks and are approved by a physician.

To order Megace, submit an enquiry on the product page at gnhindia.com specifying the required quantity. GNH India supplies hospitals, pharmacies and procurement teams worldwide, verifies trade or institutional credentials, and then provides pricing, availability, shipping details and any necessary import documentation.

Compared with other appetite stimulants such as corticosteroids or mirtazapine, Megace offers both appetite‑enhancing and antineoplastic benefits, making it useful in cancer‑related cachexia. However, its hormonal activity can lead to unique side‑effects like thromboembolism, which are less common with non‑hormonal agents.

Megace tablets should be stored at ambient temperature, below 25 °C, in the original container to protect from moisture. Keep the product out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat. Do not use if the packaging is damaged or the tablets appear discoloured.

Megace is administered orally, typically as a tablet taken with or without food as directed by the prescriber. Patients should follow the dosing schedule provided by their healthcare professional and should not alter the frequency or amount without medical advice.

Serious risks include thromboembolic events such as deep‑vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, adrenal suppression leading to cortisol deficiency, severe hyperglycemia, and rare allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Patients should be monitored closely for signs of these conditions, especially during long‑term therapy.

Megace is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any excipients, those with active thromboembolic disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe hepatic impairment. Caution is also advised for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or adrenal insufficiency.

Published by

GNH India Pharmaceuticals Limited

Licensed pharmaceutical supplier

Last updated:

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