Treatment of anorexia and weight loss with megestrol acetate in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Four patients with severe cystic fibrosis lung disease, anorexia and weight loss, received Megestrol Acetate (MA), as an appetite stimulant. The initial dose was 400–800 mg daily and was continued for 6–15 months. Appetite was improved, with significant weight gain in all patients and an increase in their weight for age percentile from <5% at the start of the study to approximately the 25th percentile after 6 months of use and improvement in quality of life. One patient discontinued MA after 6 months, and subsequently appetite and weight were depressed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1999; 28:380–382. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Appetite stimulants use in cystic fibrosis

“…Quality of life was also shown to improve. 23 Side effects were not reported in this case report. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial of MA in 12 malnourished children with CF was conducted over a 12-week period, followed by a 12-week washout period, then the alternative treatment.…”

Appetite stimulants in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review

“…, 2002). Quality of life, where reported, showed nonsignificant trends for improvement (Kissner, 1999; Nasr et al. , 1999; Marchand et al.…”

“…, 2002). It also resulted in an improvement in weight gain, lean body mass and fat mass in some studies (Nasr et al. , 1999; Crawley et al.…”

“…, 2002). Four studies showed an improvement in body composition (Nasr et al. , 1999; Marchand et al.…”

“…Only MA has been studied more than once, including two controlled studies, and it was the only appetite stimulant reported to improve lung function (Marchand et al, 2000;Eubanks et al, 2002). It also resulted in an improvement in weight gain, lean body mass and fat mass in some studies (Nasr et al, 1999;Crawley et al, 2003).…”