megestrol
Meaning of megestrol: Megestrol is a synthetic progestin used to treat certain hormone sensitive cancers and to help stimulate appetite in people with significant weight loss.
Definition of megestrol
Megestrol is a synthetic hormone belonging to the progestin class of drugs, which mimic the effects of the natural hormone progesterone. It is used in the treatment of certain hormone sensitive cancers, including some breast and endometrial cancers, where it interferes with the effects of estrogen and androgens on tumor tissue.
Megestrol is also used, at different doses, to stimulate appetite and promote weight gain in people experiencing significant unintended weight loss, including some people with cancer or other serious chronic illness. This appetite stimulating effect is a separate use from its role as a cancer treatment.
Because megestrol affects hormone activity throughout the body, its use is associated with effects beyond its intended purpose, effects related to its hormonal activity, which are a consideration whether it is used for cancer treatment or for appetite stimulation.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Megestrol was prescribed to help address the patient's appetite loss during treatment.
Good to know
Megestrol's use as a cancer treatment and its use as an appetite stimulant involve different doses of the same drug, so the indication for which it is prescribed shapes the dose used.