Megace (Megestrol Acetate) is a prescription medication used to help stimulate appetite and promote weight gain in people experiencing significant weight loss or cachexia (wasting) associated with cancer, AIDS, or other chronic illnesses. It is also used in the palliative treatment of certain cancers, such as breast and endometrial cancer, due to its hormone-modulating properties. Megace helps improve quality of life by increasing body weight, appetite, and strength in patients who have lost significant weight due to illness or therapy. The active ingredient in Megace is Megestrol Acetate. Megestrol Acetate belongs to a class of medications known as progestins. It works by influencing the hypothalamic feeding centers and altering metabolism to stimulate appetite. In hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and endometrial cancer, it works by blocking estrogen's effects on cancer cells, thereby slowing or stopping tumor growth.

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Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while using Megace. The most common side effects of Megace may include the following:
• Fatigue;
• Fluid retention;
• Hot flashes;
• Increased appetite;
• Nausea

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat;
• Signs of blood clots, including sudden leg swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath;
• Sudden mood or behavioral changes;
• Unusual vaginal discharge (in women)

These are not all of Megace's side effects. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.

You should not use Megace if you are allergic to Megestrol Acetate or any ingredient in Megace. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;
• Have a history of blood clots;
• Have a history of depression or mood disorders;
• Have adrenal gland disorders;
• Have diabetes;
• Have heart disease;
• Have liver or kidney problems;
• Have severe liver disease;
• Have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Megace and other medicines, such as warfarin, insulin, prednisone, darunavir, clarithromycin, carbamazepine, etc. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not use Megace when pregnant because it can harm a fetus. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while taking Megace. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Megestrol Acetate is excreted in breast milk and may affect the hormonal balance and development of a nursing infant.

Use this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Megace is available as tablets. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Take this medicine once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. Do not stop using this medicine abruptly without talking to your doctor. Stopping abruptly may cause adrenal problems. Keep regular follow-up appointments to monitor your weight, blood sugar, and hormonal status. Avoid prolonged immobility, such as long flights or bed rest, to reduce the risk of blood clots. Do not use this medicine as a general appetite stimulant unless prescribed for a medical condition. Store this drug at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep out of the reach of children.

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