General Drug Information

What Megace Is and What It’s Used For

Megace, often sold under the brand name Megace, is a synthetic substance similar to progesterone, a hormone naturally occurring in the human body.

Megace is commonly prescribed to AIDS patients suffering from appetite loss, helping them to improve their appetite, maintain a healthy weight, and keep an active lifestyle.

Megace also treats some types of breast and endometrial cancer.

Usage and Application

Megace is available in the form of tablets, oral suspension or a concentrated suspension. It is up to a patient’s treating physician to decide which form of this drug to prescribe. The dosage depends on a patient’s condition and their response to treatment.

Megace is usually taken once a day. If the patient is using an oral suspension, they need to shake the bottle well before use, then measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device.

Household spoons are not suitable for this task and patients using them may end up taking an incorrect dose of the medication.

Patients should take their medication regularly. To ensure continuity, it is a good idea to take the medication at the same time each day.

It is important not to switch between different liquid forms of this drug, as this can interfere with correct dosing. Patients should not increase their dosage on their own accord nor take this drug longer than prescribed.

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant need to be extremely careful when handling Megace. The drug can be absorbed through the skin, potentially harming a woman’s unborn baby. In case of contact with this drug, women need to wash the affected skin area immediately.

It may take up to several weeks for patients to feel the full effect of treatment. Patients need to inform their doctor if there is no improvement after this period, or in the event their condition worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Megace

Patients need to discuss a number of issues with their doctor before taking Megace. This includes the possibility of allergic reactions, as well as any pre-existing conditions, including adrenal gland problems such as Cushing’s syndrome, high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.

Female patients should also alert their doctor in case they suffer from unusual vaginal bleeding.

Diabetic patients may discover that Megace affects blood sugar levels. It is important to track blood sugar levels regularly. Patients should alert their doctor in the event they experience symptoms of high blood sugar.

In long-term users, Megace can make it more difficult for the body to respond to physical stress. This has serious implications for patients who suffer serious illness or injury.

Those who need to undergo surgery or emergency treatment need to alert the treating physician that they are taking Megace or have recently stopped taking it. It is important to monitor for signs such as extreme tiredness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.

The side effects of Megace –especially the risk of developing blood clots – may be more pronounced in older adults.

Megace cannot be used during pregnancy as it can potentially harm an unborn baby. Female patients need to discuss reliable birth control measures with their doctor. In the event of pregnancy, female patients need to inform their doctor right away.

It is not known whether Megace can pass into breast milk. New mothers should consult their physician about breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Megace should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Megace

Drug interactions may change the way Megace works and can increase the risk of side effects.

Megace is known to interact in a negative manner with dofetilide. Sold under the brand name, Tikosyn, this drug is prescribed to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats.

Tikosyn is just one example of a possible negative interaction between Megace and other drugs. Another example is cancer drug, Thalomid, which can increase risk of blood clots when used together with Megace.

Patients need to speak with their doctor or a pharmacist about the medications and supplements they are already taking so possible drug interactions can be fully assessed. Starting, changing or stopping any medications should only happen with a doctor’s approval.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients use Megace without experiencing negative side effects. Yet, there is a risk of developing symptoms such as trouble sleeping, decreased sexual desire, fever, upset stomach or gas. Female patients may notice changes in their menstrual cycle, including unpredictable bleeding.

Serious side effects include fast and pounding heartbeat, fatigue, headache, and swelling of the hands and feet. People need to seek immediate medical help if they experience symptoms of a blood clot such as chest pain, trouble breathing or pain.

Patients should also monitor for swelling or redness in the arms and legs. Confusion, mood and vision changes, troubles speaking, or weakness or numbness on one side of the body also signify serious side effects and need to be tended to immediately.

In some rare cases, Megace may increase blood sugar, an issue of concern for patients with diabetes. Such patients need to monitor themselves for increased thirst and urination, which are two signs of elevated blood sugar. Diabetic patients may need to have their doctor adjust their medication(s), exercise program or diet to enable them to safely use Megace.

Serious allergic reactions to Megace are rare, yet patients should be aware of rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

How to Store Megace

Megace should be stored at room temperature and in tightly-closed containers to avoid exposure to light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.