Unistrol 160mg 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.
Unistrol 160mg 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.
Unistrol 160mg 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
Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 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 Unistrol
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Hot flashes
High blood pressure
Constipation
How to use Unistrol 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. Unistrol 160mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Unistrol Tablet works
Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Unistrol 160mg 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
Unistrol 160mg 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
Unistrol 160mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CAUTION
Unistrol 160mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Unistrol 160mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Unistrol 160mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Unistrol 160mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg 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)
Patient concerns
If any symtom of brest cancer if have whats the cure
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rai
Medical Oncology and Hematology
First is confirmation of breast cancerChance of cure depends on stage of cancer
I am PATIENT have pain in my breastes and feel very weight before one week of my menstrual perieds date Is it any symptoms of breast cancer ? Need your advice And also having back pain during menstrual dates please give your valubel advice
Dear PATIENT 4 Breast Cancer means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The management of such cancers depends on the site where the cancer has spread and on the receptor status of the breast cancer. If you can share the details with me, I will be happy to let you know the potential management
What is Unistrol 160mg Tablet and what is it used for?
Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet make you gain weight?
Yes, Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet?
You can take Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet stop periods?
No, Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet.
Is Unistrol 160mg Tablet a chemo medicine?
No, Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet acetate safe to be taken during pregnancy?
No, you should not take Unistrol 160mg Tablet if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. However, if you become pregnant while taking Unistrol 160mg Tablet, immediately contact your doctor as Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet.
Does Unistrol 160mg Tablet prevent pregnancy?
No, Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet? What is it used for?
Unistrol 160mg 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 Unistrol 160mg Tablet need to be refrigerated?
No, there is no need to refrigerate Unistrol 160mg Tablet. However, this medicine should not be stored above 25°C. It should be stored in original packaging to protect from moisture.
Is Unistrol 160mg Tablet used for hot flashes?
Use of Unistrol 160mg Tablet in hot flashes is not approved. Always consult your doctor before using Unistrol 160mg 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.
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: