"Megestrol acetate": description, instructions, analogs and reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Everyone knows that very often in veterinary medicine drugs are used to treat various diseases in humans. One such drug is Megestrol Acetate. In this article, we will look at what this drug is prescribed for and how to take it.

Medication description

"Megestrol acetate" refers to drugs that are taken in the treatment of cancer. This is an anticancer drug. It affects the cells of the connective tissue of the tumor, slowing down its development. In addition, the description of "Megestrol acetate" indicates its effect on the hormonal background, in particular, on the production of certain hormones by the pituitary and adrenal glands. However, the obstacle to the development of metastases extends only to tissues that have cytoplasmic hormone receptors. For example, this medication may be effective in hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Also, the drug has a gestagenic and anti-cachectic effect.

The drug has good absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The highest concentration of the drug in the body is reached in just a few hours. While excreted from the body for several days. Some of the drug is deposited in adipose tissue. Excretion from the body of residues is carried out through the kidneys, intestines and respiratory tract.

For whom?

The range of application of "Megestrol acetate" is not so wide. The reason for this is the narrow focus of the drug. As we have already said, it is able to influence the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors. By suppressing them, the drug inhibits tumor growth. Therefore, it is prescribed for the following cancers:

• disseminated breast cancer;
• late endometrial cancer;
• ovarian and prostate tumors;
• unreasonable weight loss in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
• cachexia in cancer patients.

Recurrent thrombophlebitis is a contraindication. In addition, this drug is prohibited during the first 4 months of pregnancy.

It is worth paying your attention to the fact that the use of megestrol acetate for dogs and cats as part of various preparations is completely different than for people. These features will be discussed below.

Assignment to animals

Drugs containing this active ingredient are prescribed to dogs and cats to stop estrus. Howeverthese drugs are used not only for females, but also for males. Very often, owners suffer from excessive sexual activity of a cat or male. In addition, unsatisfied sexual desire is fraught with aggression from the animal. Therefore, megestrol acetate is prescribed to suppress hormones in both females and males.

Veterinary use

Since megestrol acetate has an effect on hormones, it is used in veterinary medicine to suppress estrus in dogs. Steroid hormones are used to suppress ovulation in females. Mostly progesterone and testosterone. Recently, however, artificial synthetic steroids have become popular. These include medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, delmadinone acetate, melengestrol acetate and mibolerone.

Many of the synthetic steroids work on the principle of inhibition of gonadotropic hormones, which are responsible for ovulation. This method is used for contraception in dogs.

However, there is a possibility of complications. For example, an animal may develop cystic endometrial hyperplasia and infection of the genitourinary system, as well as changes in mammary gland tissues.

Please note that the product is not recommended for contraception in cats due to side effects.

Contraception for dogs

Prevention of dogs with this synthetic steroid is done orally. Consequently,the drug is available in the form of tablets, dosage of 5 and 20 mg. The dose and schedule of application varies depending on the period in which the drug is used: during the period of estrus or proestrus.

The instructions for "Megestrol acetate" indicate that if hormone therapy begins during proestrus, then the drug should be started as early as possible. This period lasts about 9 days, and for 3-8 days the drug is given in an amount of 2 mg per 1 kg of dog weight. If drug therapy was started on time, then the next estrus will come in about six months. If the drug was started at the final stage of proestrus, then most likely the course of treatment will need to be extended.

It is acceptable to use the drug as a prophylaxis during anestrus. In this case, the dosage is reduced to 0.5 mg per 1 kg of weight. The course of admission is 30-32 days. In this way, the onset of proestrus and estrus is prevented. It is recommended to start hormone therapy a few weeks before the expected proestrus. It should also be remembered that when the course is stopped, the resumption of heat can happen at any time.

Cat contraception

The use of megestrol acetate for cats as a contraceptive is widespread in the UK. It is also used to suppress estrus. The recommended dosage and regimen is 5 mg daily for the first 3 days, then 2.5-5 mg once a week for 10 weeks.

During application during anestrus, the course lasts 18 months, and the drug is given inamount of 2.5 mg once a week.

This drug may have some side effects. These include weight gain, the characteristic smell of urine, breast enlargement, and even latent diabetes.

Features of the use of the drug

Like any other drug, megestrol acetate also has contraindications. If it is used for drug therapy in animals, the drug is not recommended for use in diseases of the reproductive system and its organs, as well as in the presence of tumors of the mammary glands.

Before you start taking the drug, you must make sure that the female is not pregnant. Otherwise, a violation of the development of the embryos, in particular, of the female sex, and a violation of the natural course of childbirth are likely.

Also, the drug is not recommended to use more than 2 courses in a row. You need to take breaks. At this time, non-steroidal methods of contraception of the animal should be used or care should be taken to prevent unwanted mating by limiting the communication of the animal with the opposite sex. If you constantly use this hormone therapy, then the development of various seals of the endometrium is likely, which can subsequently turn into an oncological disease.

In addition, it is undesirable to use the drug on young individuals who have not yet had a single estrus.

Analogues

Today, there are many analogues of megestrol acetate. Basically, these are preparations containing it in theircomposition. For example, "EX-5". It is the most commonly used contraceptive for dogs. It is produced in the form of a suspension of 2, 3, 4, 5 ml in a vial. In addition, this drug is used not only to prevent estrus in females, but also to suppress sexual energy in males. Also, "EX-5" is able to influence the behavior of the animal.

Another drug - "Seksinon". It is also used to prevent or stop estrus in cats and to regulate sex drive in cats. It is produced in the form of drops and is given to the animal along with food or dripped onto the root of the tongue.

No less famous drug is "Kontrik". It is intended for bitches and cats, since it is ineffective for males and cats. Judging by the reviews, in addition to suppressing estrus, this medication smooths out the aggressive behavior of females.