Mestrel 40mg Tablet
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Mestrel 40mg Tablet is used to treat breast cancer and endometrial cancer. It specifically helps treat breast and endometrial cancer that are hormone dependent. It may also be used for treating low appetite and weight loss in patients with advanced cancer or HIV.
Mestrel 40mg Tablet should be taken as your doctor advice. Your doctor will decide how much you need to take and for how much time. You may take it with or without food but better to take it at a fixed time. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you.
The most common side effects of this medicine include weight gain, increase in appetite, shortness of breath, hot flushes (warm face and neck), high blood pressure, and constipation. Most of these are temporary, and go away as soon as the body adjusts to the treatment. If any of these bothers you, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them.
Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take this medicine. Your doctor might do regular blood tests to check your hormones and blood sugar levels while you are taking this medicine.
Uses of Mestrel Tablet
Benefits of Mestrel Tablet
In Breast cancer
Mestrel 40mg Tablet relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipples, or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. It works by altering the production of those hormones in the body that are essential for the growth and spread of breast cancer. It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on the cancer to stop its growth.
In Endometrial cancer
Mestrel 40mg Tablet is a synthetic hormone which replicates the effect of a natural female hormone called progesterone. It relieves the symptoms of endometrial cancer (a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the womb) such as, abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower back pain, pain during sex, etc. It interferes with the production and working of those hormones in the body that are essential for the growth and spread of endometrial cancer. It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on the cancer to stop its growth.
Side effects of Mestrel Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Mestrel
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- High blood pressure
- Constipation
How to use Mestrel Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Mestrel 40mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Mestrel Tablet works
Mestrel 40mg Tablet is a progestin (female hormone). It works in patients with breast cancer and endometrial cancer by affecting female hormones involved in cancer growth. It causes weight gain by increasing appetite.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Mestrel 40mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Mestrel 40mg Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Mestrel 40mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Mestrel 40mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CAUTION
Mestrel 40mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Mestrel 40mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Mestrel 40mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Mestrel 40mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Mestrel 40mg Tablet
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Quick tips
- Mestrel 40mg Tablet is used to treat women with certain hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer and endometrial cancer.
- It may also be used for treating appetite and weight loss in people with advanced cancer or AIDS.
- You may have to take it for atleast 2 months before you notice any changes in your appetite.
- Your doctor might do regular blood tests to check your hormones and blood sugar levels while you are taking this medicine.
- Do not take Mestrel 40mg Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you notice unexplained swelling and pain in your limbs, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, or changes in vision. These could be symptoms of a blood clot in a vein.
- Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Progesterone Congeners
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Progestins (First generation)
Interaction with drugs
Taking Mestrel with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
Megestrol may reduce the efficacy of Fulvestrant.
Do not consume Fulvestrant with Megestrol if you have or had breast cancer. If essential, consult your doctor.
Megestrol may reduce the efficacy of Anastrozole.
Do not consume Anastrozole with Megestrol if you have or had breast cancer. If essential, consult your doctor.
Megestrol may reduce the efficacy of Tamoxifen.
Do not consume Tamoxifen with Megestrol if you have or had breast cancer. If essential, consult your doctor.
Megestrol may reduce the efficacy of Letrozole.
Do not consume Letrozole with Megestrol if you have or had breast cancer. If essential, consult your doctor.
Megestrol may reduce the efficacy of Raloxifene.
Do not consume Raloxifene with Megestrol. If concurrent use is essential, please consult your doctor.
Patient concerns
FAQs
What is Mestrel 40mg Tablet and what is it used for?
Mestrel 40mg Tablet contains a medicine called Megestrol which is similar to the hormone progesterone, that naturally occurs in your body. It is used in hormone-dependent cancers of breast and endometrium (lining of the uterus). It may also be used to promote appetite and weight gain in AIDS patients.
Does Mestrel 40mg Tablet make you gain weight?
Yes, Mestrel 40mg Tablet may cause weight gain as a very common side effect. Weight gain could be due to an increase in appetite which leads to an overall increase in fat and body cell mass. Consult your doctor if you experience excessive weight gain. It is commonly used to treat malnutrition, loss of appetite and severe weight loss in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, it is not intended for preventive use to avoid weight loss.
When should I take Mestrel 40mg Tablet?
You can take Mestrel 40mg Tablet at any time of the day. However, you should take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time each day since this helps you to remember taking it. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Does Mestrel 40mg Tablet stop periods?
No, Mestrel 40mg Tablet does not stop periods. However, it may interfere with your normal menstrual cycle. It may cause break-through bleeding and therefore has limited use in HIV infected women. Consult your doctor in case you experience breakthrough bleeding during the treatment with Mestrel 40mg Tablet.
Is Mestrel 40mg Tablet a chemo medicine?
No, Mestrel 40mg Tablet is not a chemo medicine. It is a man-made version of the progesterone hormone. It is helpful in the treatment of breast cancer and endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus). It works by modifying the female hormones involved in cancer growth.
Is Mestrel 40mg Tablet acetate safe to be taken during pregnancy?
No, you should not take Mestrel 40mg Tablet if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. However, if you become pregnant while taking Mestrel 40mg Tablet, immediately contact your doctor as Mestrel 40mg Tablet may cause harm to your unborn baby. It is important to inform the doctor because it may cause abnormalities of sex organs in male and female babies if it is taken during first 3 months of pregnancy. Usually, the doctor may suggest a pregnancy test before starting your treatment with Mestrel 40mg Tablet.
Does Mestrel 40mg Tablet prevent pregnancy?
No, Mestrel 40mg Tablet does not prevent pregnancy. It may disrupt your normal menstrual cycle but does not prevent pregnancy. Hence, you should use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Check with your doctor in case you are not sure or have any doubts.
What is Mestrel 40mg Tablet? What is it used for?
Mestrel 40mg Tablet contains Megestrol, which is similar to the naturally produced hormone progesterone. The medicine is used in treatment hormone-dependent cancers of breast and endometrium (lining of the uterus). It may also be used to promote appetite and weight gain in AIDS patients.
Does Mestrel 40mg Tablet need to be refrigerated?
No, there is no need to refrigerate Mestrel 40mg Tablet. However, this medicine should not be stored above 25°C. It should be stored in original packaging to protect from moisture.
Is Mestrel 40mg Tablet used for hot flashes?
Use of Mestrel 40mg Tablet in hot flashes is not approved. Always consult your doctor before using Mestrel 40mg Tablet. Usually, estrogen in women and androgen in men are used for the treatment of hot flashes but these hormones cannot be used in females with breast cancer and males with prostate cancer.
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Disclaimer:
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.References
- Medsacpe. Megestrol. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Megestrol. Spring Valley, New York: Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.; 1993 [revised May 2013]. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Megestrol acetate [Drug Label]. Princeton, New Jersey: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; 2012. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024] (online) Available from:
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Address: 11, Mahavir Mansion, 70 Trinity Street, Mumbai-400002
Country of origin: India
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