Treats cancer of the breast or uterus. Also used to increase appetite and prevent weight loss in patients with AIDS
Brand Names:
Megace
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to megestrol or if you are pregnant
Uses:
Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
For cancer treatment, you may need to take this medicine for at least 2 months before it starts to work.
If you are using the oral liquid medicine, shake the bottle thoroughly before each use. Pour the liquid into the medicine cup to measure your correct dose.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes or a history of blood clots.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Taking this medicine for a long time may increase the risk of some kinds of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
This medicine may cause weight gain as a result of an increased appetite.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Increased thirst, increase in how much or how often you urinate
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness
Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the leg (calf)
Puffy, full, or rounded face
Severe headache, slurring of speech, changes in vision
Sudden shortness of breath or rapid breathing with chest pain
