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Hi Shelby,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I had to track down the information regarding the drug.

Anyways, my Mom was taking a combination of a fish oil supplement and Megace, which is a drug that is often used to fight anorexia in patients with HIV/AIDS. It made a huge difference, she was getting really tiny (she was about 100lbs) when she started taking it, and she ended up around 140 I believe. I would say the most important thing though is the fact that it helped with her appetite and she was able to enjoy eating, which is important when so many other things become hard to enjoy because you're so sick. I remember her sitting around munching on cheesies or having a milkshake, and it definately improve her spirits. Anyways, something to think about. I'm going to copy and paste some info on it here:

Megestrol

CCO Formulary Revised 2004/2005

A DRUG NAME: MEGESTROL

SYNONYM(S): MA, meg, megestrol acetate

COMMON TRADE NAME(S): Megace� Megace OS� (Bristol-Myers Squibb), Apo-

Megestrol� (Apotex), Nu-Megestrol� (Nu-Pharm)

B MECHANISM OF ACTION AND PHARMACOKINETICS

Megestrol was synthesized in England in 1963. Initially developed as a contraceptive, it was

first evaluated in breast cancer treatment in 1967. Megestrol is a synthetic progestin and has

the same physiologic effects as natural progesterone. The biochemical mechanism of progestin

antitumour activity is not well but may involve interaction with progesterone and glucocorticoid

receptors, androgenic properties. Megestrol also has direct cytotoxic effects on breast cancer

cells in tissue culture and suppresses luteinising hormone release from the pituitary. The

precise mechanism of megestrol's antianorexic and anticachetic effects is unknown.

Oral Absorption Variable, but well absorbed

Found in breast milk

Cross blood brain barrier? No information found

Vd No information found

Distribution

PPB No information found

Mainly in liver to free steroids and glucuronide conjugates

Active metabolite(s) No

Metabolism

Inactive metabolite(s) Yes

Predominantly excreted by kidneys, 19.8% within 10 days in feces

Urine 66.4% within 10 days

Excretion

t � 34 hours

C INDICATIONS AND STATUS

* Anorexia, cachexia or weight loss secondary to

metastatic cancer

* Anorexia, cachexia or unexplained weight loss

in AIDS patients

* Breast cancer

* Endometrial cancer

* Prostate cancer (hormone sensitive; palliation)

* Health Canada approved indication

Hope that helps,
Kelly

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