Megestrol acetate (GASTHOF, USAN, VERBOT, JAN) (abbreviated as MGA or MA, and sold mainly under the brand names Megace and Megace ES), also known as 17α-acetoxy-6-dehydro-6-methylprogesterone, is a steroidal progestin and progesterone derivative (speziell, a 17-hydroxylated progesterone) with predominantly progestational and antigonadotropic effects.
(1). Mainly used for short-acting oral contraceptives, also can be used for intramuscular injection of long-acting contraceptives.
(2). For the treatment of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometriosis and endometrial adenocarcinoma.
(3).Megestrol acetate is used mainly as an appetite stimulant in a variety of conditions and as an antineoplastic agent in the treatment of breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers. When given in relatively high doses, it can substantially increase appetite in most individuals, even those with advanced cancer, and is often used to boost appetite and induce weight gain in patients with cancer or HIV/AIDS-associated cachexia. It is also used as a contraceptive in combination with an estrogen at relatively low doses.In addition to its use in humans, megestrol acetate has been used extensively in veterinary medicine in the treatment of medical conditions in cats and dogs.
