Megestrol Explained

Megestrol is a progestin of the 17α-hydroxyprogesterone group which was, until recently, never marketed or used clinically.[1] [2] It is now used for treatments of disease-related weight loss, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer.[3] Its acylated derivative megestrol acetate is also a progestogen, which, in contrast to megestrol itself, has been extensively used as a pharmaceutical drug.

Medical Use

As of June 2023, megestrol is being used to treat significant weight loss in HIV/AIDS patients, and as a palliative treatment of endometrial and breast cancers. It can be administered in both tablet and oral suspension forms, with dosages ranging from 100 mg/day to 1600 mg/day depending on the condition being treated.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Macdonald F . Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents . 12 May 2012 . 1997 . CRC Press . 978-0-412-46630-4 . 1267.
  2. Book: Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory . 28 May 2012 . 2000 . Taylor & Francis US . 978-3-88763-075-1 . 641.
  3. Book: Manikkuttiyil C, Nguyen H . Megestrol . 2024 . StatPearls . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559205/ . 2024-04-25 . Treasure Island (FL) . StatPearls Publishing . 32644631 .