Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Megestrol as follows:
- Do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
- Continue taking megestrol as ordered, even if your symptoms are under control. Abrupt discontinuation on megestrol intake can result in progression of tumor growth, if megestrol is being taken to inhibit the tumor growth in endometrial and breast tissues. Abrupt discontinuation on megestrol intake can also result in continued weight loss in cancer patients. Discontinuing the medication should only be on your physician’s recommendation.
- Megestrol use can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Do not take megestrol with alcohol or opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, as these products can add to the dizziness and confusion caused by megestrol. A number of OTC cough medications, antihistamines, antiseizure medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressant and antianxiety medications, can potentiate the confusion caused by megestrol, thus resulting in many cross reactions and side-effects and so, must be avoided taking along with megestrol. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by megestrol intake.
