MAGRAL 40 (Megestrol Acetate 40 mg) – Steris Healthcare
What is MAGRAL 40 (Megestrol Acetate 40 mg) For?
MAGRAL 40 is built around Megestrol Acetate 40 mg, a synthetic derivative of the hormone progesterone that has found significant clinical use beyond its original hormonal indications. It is most widely prescribed for managing anorexia, cachexia, and unexplained significant weight loss in patients with cancer or advanced AIDS, where poor nutritional status severely impacts treatment tolerance and quality of life. It is also used as palliative therapy in advanced, hormone-dependent breast and endometrial cancers. Manufactured under WHO-GMP and ISO 9001:2018 certified conditions by Steris Healthcare, MAGRAL 40 delivers consistent potency to support reliable therapeutic outcomes across these indications.
Why It's Important
Unintentional weight loss and appetite suppression are common and serious complications in oncology and advanced HIV/AIDS care, often worsening prognosis, reducing treatment tolerance, and significantly impairing patients' quality of life. Addressing this nutritional decline is a critical part of supportive and palliative care. MAGRAL 40 is important because it offers a clinically established, evidence-backed option to help reverse cachexia-related weight loss, allowing patients to better tolerate ongoing disease-directed treatments like chemotherapy while improving overall wellbeing and functional status during a vulnerable phase of illness.
Key Benefits of Megestrol Acetate 40 mg
What Are the Benefits?
- Effectively stimulates appetite in patients with cancer- or AIDS-related cachexia
- Supports meaningful weight gain and improved nutritional status
- Helps patients better tolerate chemotherapy and other disease-directed treatments
- Used as palliative hormonal therapy in select advanced breast and endometrial cancers
- Contributes to improved overall quality of life in supportive cancer care
- Manufactured with strict quality assurance by Steris Healthcare
Mechanism of Action
Megestrol Acetate is a synthetic progestational agent that exerts its appetite-stimulating effect through multiple proposed pathways. It is believed to modulate hypothalamic centers involved in appetite regulation, partly by stimulating the release of neuropeptide Y, which promotes hunger and food intake. It may also downregulate the production and activity of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, which are known contributors to cancer-related cachexia and muscle wasting. In hormone-responsive cancers, Megestrol Acetate acts by binding to progesterone receptors, exerting an antitumor effect through suppression of estrogen-dependent tumor growth pathways.
Side Effects
Commonly reported side effects of MAGRAL 40 include:
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention or mild swelling
- Increased appetite-related nausea
- Mood changes
- Irregular menstrual bleeding (in women)
Serious Side Effects Of MAGRAL 40
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice:
- Signs of blood clots (leg swelling, chest pain, breathlessness)
- Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, especially on abrupt discontinuation
- New-onset or worsening high blood sugar
- Signs of severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
- Unusual vaginal bleeding requiring evaluation
Available Substitute For MAGRAL 40
Patients unable to access MAGRAL 40 may be prescribed other Megestrol Acetate 40 mg brands available in the market, based on their oncologist's or physician's advice, since bioavailability and excipient quality can vary between manufacturers. Any brand substitution should be made under medical supervision, with continued monitoring of weight, blood sugar, and thromboembolic risk factors regardless of brand.
Dosage Guidelines For MAGRAL 40
| Population | Recommended Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (cachexia/anorexia) | 40 mg to 160 mg | Once daily, as advised |
| Adults (palliative cancer therapy) | As advised by oncologist | Individualised |
| Elderly | As advised by physician | Individualised |
Tablets should be taken with food to improve tolerability, strictly as directed by a registered medical practitioner. Do not discontinue abruptly without medical guidance.
Precautions & Warnings
- Avoid use in patients with known hypersensitivity to Megestrol Acetate
- Increases risk of venous thromboembolism; use with caution in patients with a history of clotting disorders
- May cause or worsen hyperglycemia; monitor blood sugar in diabetic patients
- Avoid abrupt discontinuation due to risk of adrenal insufficiency, particularly with prolonged use
- Not recommended during pregnancy due to potential fetal harm
- Use caution in patients with a history of thrombophlebitis or cardiovascular disease
- Keep out of reach of children
Conclusion
MAGRAL 40 (Megestrol Acetate 40 mg) from Steris Healthcare offers a clinically proven solution for managing cancer- and AIDS-related cachexia, helping restore appetite and support meaningful weight gain during a critical phase of patient care. Backed by WHO-GMP manufacturing standards, it stands as a dependable choice for oncologists and physicians managing patients with significant nutritional decline.
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