• As can be seen here, a majority of patients receiving megestrol acetate in both studies1, 2 experienced increases in body weight when compared to placebo. Most of this weight gain, however, was in the form of fat and not lean body mass. For example, in the Von Roenn et al study, more than two-thirds of the accrued weight was fat.

• Those patients in the megestrol arms also increased their caloric intake an additional 600 calories or more a day. Patients in the treatment arm also reported a greater sense of well-being when compared with patients who received placebo.

• In conclusion, megestrol acetate is an effective therapy for stimulating appetite, increasing weight gain, and improving a sense of well-being in patients with AIDS-related weight loss. Megestrol acetate has little effect, if any, on lean body mass.

References:

1. Oster MH, Enders SR, Samuels SJ et al. Megestrol acetate in patients with AIDS and cachexia. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121:400-8.

2. Von Roenn JH, Armstrong D, Kotler DP et al. Megestrol acetate in patients with AIDS-related cachexia. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121:393-9.