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Generic Name: Megace (megestrol)

Megace Reviews

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Megace for the past three months. I have just finished it and have had no side effects at all except a little rash under my left breast line, but that could also be the dry electrical heating. Otherwise, I haven't had any breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, or anything else. I am going back to my doctor on March 20th, 2009, in two weeks, and we will see what she says. I guess I went to her because of severe lower back aches, frequent bleeding, and a lot of abdominal pain. I had no problems at all on Megace."


For Cachexia "I've been down 3 surgeries in 11 months. Lost 60 lbs and could not eat. I have been on Megace for 10 days and I have gained 17 lbs. Unreal! I have eaten $200 in groceries and have no plans to stop. Megace has, beyond a doubt, saved my life. Side effects are little to none: dry mouth, more frequent urination, incredible appetite! I am in it for the weight gain. Today I feel so good and strong, I caught myself running home from the store."


For Endometrial Cancer "I have been taking Megace, in conjunction with Xeloda, for the past year to help treat my Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Since my tumor is estrogen feeding, this medication takes the estrogen out of my system. Tumors have considerably shrunk since I've been on this medication."


For Endometrial Hyperplasia "This was by far the most horrible medication I've been on in my life. It did end the endometrial precancerous condition, but at great cost to my body and mind. The doctors also don't tell you it is a steroid. My side effects included: joint pain everywhere - steroids eat away the joints over time, high blood pressure - I didn't have it before this medication, and I do now, edema everywhere - including hands and face, hypoglycemia - had to drink orange juice and eat small meals to keep it under control, nightmares and bad dreams - I never seemed to be able to get a deep sleep, fatigue, unable to truly experience joy or emotion except anger, emotionally brittle - had to lie down whenever I got upset (and more than this will allow me to type)."


For Endometrial Hyperplasia "Took 20 mgs of Megace for 4 months, then 10 mgs for another 3 months and had NO side effects whatsoever. (I actually managed to lose some weight while taking this medicine.) It took some time for my complex hyperplasia without atypia to clear up, but my latest biopsy was clear from all hyperplasias and now on a regime of 10 mgs of Provera and will go back for a follow-up in another 2 months. (I was actually kind of worried to change to Provera as I did so well and had no negative side effects while taking the Megace.)"


For Endometrial Cancer "I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (very early stage) at age 40. As an alternative to hysterectomy, I tried hormone therapy: 160 mg Megace every day. endometrial thickness dropped from approximately 2 cm to a few mm in 6 months. No change in appetite. Skin oil production in the face dropped, which was great as I normally have oily skin. I had small uterine fibroids before Megace, which started to grow big and fast, which was the worst side effect."


For Endometrial Hyperplasia "I took this after I had surgery on my ovaries. It gave me bad insomnia, hot flashes and really bad weight gain. Once I was off of it I was ok. I am once again on Megace for Hyperplasia and I am experiencing hot flashes and weight gain once again, but now within the month that I have been taking it my blood sugar is going up and I am fatigued all the time."


For Endometrial Hyperplasia "At the six week point I began bleeding and have been bleeding heavily for two weeks. Also swelling of feet and ankles as well as a weird 'whooshing' sound in my ear. I think the Megestrol turned on me."


For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've always had heavy bleeding and clotting the size of baseballs. I had my first daughter in 2020 at the age of 27 and previously thought I could not conceive since I'd never gotten pregnant before (not really a fan of contraceptives in long-term relationships). Newly married and had no luck getting pregnant, I began treatment for a tissue/mass found in my ultrasounds, my GYN prescribed me Megace and advised me to take 2/day to hopefully stop the bleeding. I was hesitant to take it after reading reviews and finally took my dose as it was getting closer to my next period. It made me feel horrible and nauseous, couldn't do anything but sleep, and had brain fog. I never took it again. I wanted to explore getting a DandC and decided I wouldn't take the medication and planned to have a f/u visit with my GYN to discuss alternatives. Well... 2 1/2 weeks later and 3 days late on my period, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. My theory: I believe Megace somehow helped me conceive during ovulation."


For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "For abnormal bleeding with no known cause, this medicine has been a godsend for me. Instead of having my period 365 days a year, I don't get any now."


For Unintentional Weight Loss (Underweight) "Oncologist ordered it for mom's stage 4 lung cancer symptoms. It did an amazing job increasing her appetite, which helped her keep weight on."


For Hot Flashes "This medicine worked really well for me for about 6 weeks, then gradually stopped working."

More about Megace (megestrol)

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  • Reviews (12)
  • Drug images
  • Side effects
  • Dosage information
  • During pregnancy
  • Drug class: hormones/antineoplastics

Patient resources

  • Megace advanced reading
  • Megace

Professional resources

  • Megace prescribing information
  • Megace Oral Suspension (FDA)
  • Megestrol (AHFS Monograph)

Other formulations

  • Megace ES

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