Patient leaflet - Megace 160 mg tablets, Megestrol Acetate160 mg tablets
1. What Megace tablets are and what they are used for
Megace tablets contain the active ingredient megestrol acetate. Megestrol acetate belongs to a group of medicines called progestogens and is used to treat certain types of cancer known as hormone-dependent cancer, which include cancer of the breast.
2. What you need to know before you take Megace tablets
Do not take Megace tablets if you:
- are allergic to megestrol acetate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Tell you doctor if you:
- have severe liver problems
- currently suffer from, or have a history of suffering from blood clots (thrombophlebitis)
- have diabetes, as Megace tablets can increase your blood sugar levels
If you are over 65 years of age your doctor may want to monitor your kidney function from time to time, as this can sometimes decrease with age.
Other medicines and Megace tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Megace tablets if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Megace tablets do not usually affect your ability to drive.
Megace tablets contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Megace tablets
Always take Megace tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor if you are not sure. The usual dosage is 160mg megestrol acetate per day.
Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
This medicine is not recommended for children.
Megace tablets should be taken for at least two months to see if they are effective. Some patients take them for many years. Do not stop taking them, unless advised to do so by your doctor.
If you take more Megace tablets than you should
If you take more Megace than you should, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or contact your doctor immediately. Take the empty container and any remaining medicine with you.
If you forget to take Megace tablets
If you miss a dose, do not worry. If you remember within a few hours of the missed dose take it as soon as possible, but if it is almost time for your next dose then skip the forgotten one and continue as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
4. Possible side effects
As with all medicines, Megace can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.
If you notice any of the following, stop taking Megace and contact your doctor immediately:
- swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- skin rash
- difficulty breathing
As these may be signs of an allergic reaction.
Other side effects which may occur with Megace tablets are:
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people)
- increase in appetite and weight gain (not associated with water retention)
- shortness of breath
- hot flushes, reddening of the face and neck
- high blood pressure
- increased blood sugar levels
- rounded face, sometimes called 'moon' face
- constipation
- swelling of a vein due to a blood clot
- blood clot in the lungs
Signs of a blood clot can include loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, pains in your groin, pains or numbness in your arm or leg (especially in calf of leg), shortness of breath, weakness, headache, and fainting. If you experience any of these signs tell your doctor immediately.
Common (affects between 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 people)
- temporary increase in the signs and symptoms of your disease
- changes in mood
- numbness, pain or tingling in fingers or thumb
- heart attack
- hair loss
- diarrhoea
- tiredness
- feeling weak
- impotence
- passing wind
- needing to urinate more often
- feeling sick and being sick
- changes in vaginal bleeding (breakthrough bleeding, spotting)
- build up of fluid which causes swelling (mainly in the ankles)
- pain
- rash, including hives or nettle rash (urticaria)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Megace tablets
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original pack in order to protect from moisture. To be protected from temperatures above 40°C. They should not get too hot or damp; so do not leave your tablets near a radiator, on a window sill or in the bathroom. Do not take the tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister labels after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
If the tablets becomes discoloured or shows any signs of deterioration, seek the advice of your pharmacist. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Megace tablets contain
The active ingredient in the Megace tablets is megestrol acetate.
Each tablet contains 160mg megestrol acetate.
The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate, povidone, colloidal anhydrous silica and magnesium stearate.
What Megace tablets look like and contents of the pack
Off-white, oval, biconvex tablets with a break line on one face and engraved '160' on the other face and are available in blister pack of 30 tablets.
Manufactured by: AndersonBrecon (UK) Limited, Hereford, UK. OR Haupt Pharma Amareg GmbH, Germany.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: B&S Healthcare, Unit 4, Bradfield Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 0NU, UK.
Megace® 160mg tablets, PL 18799/2458
Leaflet date: 14.11.2019
Megace is registered trademark of Valeant Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
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