Megace (megestrol): What to Expect, Side Effects, and More
Megace (chemical name: megestrol acetate) is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone.
It may be used to:
ease symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, including loss of appetite
treat advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in women not responding to tamoxifen
See Megace prescribing information.
How Megace works
Megace alters the balance of hormones in the body, reducing estrogen. Some hormone receptor-positive breast cancers rely on estrogen to grow. Megace also stimulates appetite.
What to expect during Megace treatment
Megestrol is available as a tablet, a suspension (liquid), or a concentrated suspension (Megace ES). All are taken by mouth, typically once per day (but your doctor may instruct you to take it several times a day). Be sure to take it at the same time every day.
Megace side effects
Like almost all breast cancer medicines, Megace can cause side effects, some of them severe. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these side effects.
The most common side effects of Megace are:
vaginal bleeding
impotence (in men)
Megace may also increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Symptoms include:
sharp chest pain
Other serious side effects to watch for:
extreme thirst
frequent urination
slow or difficult speech
You should not take Megace if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as the medicine can be harmful to the fetus as well as transmitted in breast milk. Before starting Megace, your doctor may ask you to take a pregnancy test to avoid this risk.
Long-term use of Megace may worsen your blood sugar, increasing your risk of diabetes.
Real patient reviews
Members of our community discuss their experiences with Megace in the community forum. Here are some of their comments. Remember, it's very important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you're having and ask about ways to manage them.
“A few months ago I was down to 56 kg and Megace helped get my appetite back. I now weigh 66 kg.” —theziz
“I was put on Megace ( a progesterone med) for 8 years — I loved it, but I gained a lot of weight.” —VJSL8
“When I took megace my hot flashes were very reduced. It was a very low dose so it did not lead to gaining any weight.” —ninaca
Read more in our Megace discussion forum.
Paying for Megace
The cost of Megace may vary. The price you’ll pay depends on the drug manufacturer, your health insurance provider and plan, where you live, and the pharmacy you use.
Note: Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before covering Megace.
Learn more about financial assistance and medicine cost-lowering tips.
— Last updated on September 15, 2024 at 1:52 PM
