Megace Side Effects

Generic Name: megestrol

Please note - some side effects for Megace may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Megace - for the Consumer

Megace ES Suspension

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Megace ES Suspension:

Difficulty sleeping; gas; headache; indigestion.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Megace ES Suspension:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; coughing up blood; decreased sexual desire or ability; depression; dizziness; increased appetite, thirst, or urination; irregular heartbeat; leg pain; menstrual changes; muscle weakness; nausea; seizures; shortness of breath; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat); swelling of the ankles or fingers; unexplained vaginal bleeding; unusual thoughts; unusual weight gain in the face; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Megace Suspension

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Megace Suspension:

Difficulty sleeping; gas; headache; indigestion.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Megace Suspension:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; coughing up blood; decreased sexual desire or ability; depression; dizziness; increased appetite, thirst, or urination; irregular heartbeat; leg pain; menstrual changes; muscle weakness; nausea; seizures; shortness of breath; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat); swelling of the ankles or fingers; unexplained vaginal bleeding; unusual thoughts; unusual weight gain in the face; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Top

Megace Side Effects - for the Professional

Megace

Weight Gain

Weight gain is a frequent side effect of Megace. This gain has been associated with increased appetite and is not necessarily associated with fluid retention.

Thromboembolic Phenomena

Thromboembolic phenomena including thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism (in some cases fatal) have been reported.

Glucocorticoid Effects

Other Adverse Reactions

Heart failure, nausea and vomiting, edema, breakthrough menstrual bleeding, dyspnea, tumor flare (with or without hypercalcemia), hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, alopecia, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, mood changes, hot flashes, malaise, asthenia, lethargy, sweating and rash.

Top

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects including cases of new onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of preexisting diabetes mellitus, and overt Cushings syndrome have been reported in association of chronic use of megestrol. Adrenal insufficiency has also been reported in patients receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol therapy in both the stressed and non-stressed state. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation testing has revealed the frequent occurrence of asymptomatic pituitary-adrenal suppression in patients treated with chronic megestrol therapy. Hot flashes have also been reported.

The possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be considered in any patient receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol who presents with signs and/or symptoms suggestive of hypoadrenalism in either the stressed or non-stressed state.

General

General side effects including a significant risk of weight gain (secondary to increased appetite), mood changes, malaise, asthenia, and lethargy have been reported.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including thrombophlebitis, heart failure, edema, deep vein thrombosis, and hypertension have been reported.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including a significant risk to develop blood clots have been reported.

Blood clots are particularly a risk in cancer patients and others susceptible to clotting.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea and vomiting have been reported.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including breakthrough menstrual bleeding have been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including pulmonary embolism (sometimes fatal) and dyspnea have been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including alopecia, sweating, and rash have been reported.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included at least two patients with severe osteoporosis complicated by multiple vertebral fractures experienced while the patients were receiving high-dose megestrol therapy.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including carpal tunnel syndrome have been reported.

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects including tumor flare (with or without hypercalcemia) have been reported. Long term animal studies have reported an increased risk for both benign and malignant tumors of the breast.

Other

Other side effects including a possible case of megestrol withdrawal syndrome have been reported.

Top

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.