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Other brands with the same active ingredient
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Megestrol Acetate). Strength and form may differ — confirm substitution with your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Indications & Uses
Apetiz is indicated for:
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Tablet: For breast cancer, the dose is 160 mg per day. For endometrial carcinoma, the dose is 40 to 320 mg per day, taken in divided doses. At least 2 months of continuous treatment is considered an adequate period for judging whether Megestrol is working. Oral Suspension: The recommended starting dose for adults is 800 mg per day (20 ml per day) of Megestrol Oral Suspension.
Side Effects
Weight gain is a frequent side effect of Apemeg when it is used in patients with cancer of the breast or endometrium. This gain is associated with increased appetite, and it is this effect that forms the basis for using Apemeg in patients with anorexia, cachexia or weight loss. The weight gain is associated with an increase in fat and body cell mass. Untoward reactions reported in patients receiving Apemeg include nausea, vomiting, edema and breakthrough uterine bleeding; these occur in approximately 1% to 2% of patients. Gynecomastia and loss of hearing have also been reported. Dyspnea, heart failure, hypertension, hot flashes, mood changes, Cushingoid facies, tumor flare (with or without hypercalcemia), hyperglycemia, alopecia, carpal tunnel syndrome and rash have also occurred. Thromboembolic phenomena, including thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism (in some cases fatal), have also been reported.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Apemeg should be used with caution in patients with a history of thrombophlebitis and in those with severely impaired liver function. Treatment with Apemeg should be supervised by a specialist, and patients should be kept under regular surveillance. Apemeg can exert adrenocortical effects, and this should be borne in mind during patient surveillance. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine. Insufficient data from clinical studies of megestrol acetate are available for patients aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. In general, use in elderly patients should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. Apemeg is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to Apemeg may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken during treatment with Apemeg, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
Contraindications
Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to Megestrol Acetate or any ingredient in the product, or if you are or may be pregnant.