megestrol
Other Name: Generic brands available
- For treating breast, endometrial or prostate cancer.
- It may also be used to increase appetite in cancer patients.
- Tell your doctor if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had any blood clots, problems with your adrenal gland, or allergies.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding
- While this may not be directly applicable to you, if there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, both of you must:
- ► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Do not take birth control pills if you have breast cancer. Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
- Effects on Fertility: Probable
- Effects on Fertility: Probable
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Take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
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Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
Common side effects usually occur in more than 1 out of every 10 patients. Other side effects are less common, but may be severe. You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
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Nausea and vomiting
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
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Weight gain
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
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Vaginal bleeding in women
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
| Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood) | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.