Drug Summary

  Drug name:  megestrol
  Chemical name:  Megestrol acetate
  Formula:  C₂₃H₃₀O₄
  Weight:   370.4819
  CAS no:  595-33-5
  DrugBank link:  DB00351
  Description:  17-Hydroxy-6-methylpregna-3,6-diene-3,20-dione. A progestational hormone used most commonly as the acetate ester. As the acetate, it is more potent than progesterone both as a progestagen and as an ovulation inhibitor. It has also been used in the palliative treatment of breast cancer. [PubChem]
  Indication:  For the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also used for the palliative management of recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and prostate cancer in Canada and some other countries.