Megestrol Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 10, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 40 mg/mL; 20 mg; 40 mg; 625 mg/5 mL

Usual Adult Dose for:

Breast Cancer-Palliative
Endometrial Carcinoma
Weight Loss
Anorexia
Cachexia

Additional dosage information:

Renal Dose Adjustments
Liver Dose Adjustments
Precautions
Dialysis
Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer-Palliative

Tablets:
40 mg orally 4 times a day

Comments:

At least 2 months of continuous treatment is considered an adequate period for determining the efficacy of this drug.

Use: For palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the breast (i.e., recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic disease); it should not be used in lieu of currently accepted procedures such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy

Usual Adult Dose for Endometrial Carcinoma

Tablets:
40 to 320 mg orally daily in divided doses

Comments:

At least 2 months of continuous treatment is considered an adequate period for determining the efficacy of this drug.

Use: For palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the endometrium (i.e., recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic disease); it should not be used in lieu of currently accepted procedures such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy

Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss

Suspension (40 mg/mL):
800 mg orally once a day (20 mL/day)
OR
Suspension (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (5 mL/day)
OR
Suspension ES (125 mg/mL):
625 mg orally once a day (1 mL/day)

Comments:

NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
Shake container well before using.
This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.

Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Usual Adult Dose for Anorexia

NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
Shake container well before using.
This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.

Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Usual Adult Dose for Cachexia

NOTE: The 125 mg/mL strength is not interchangeable with any other strength.
Shake container well before using.
This 125 mg/mL strength is not substitutable with the 40 mg/mL strength on a mg per mg basis.
Therapy with this drug for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes are addressed (e.g., malignancies, systemic infections, GI disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease, psychiatric diseases).
This drug is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.

Use: For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)