Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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Anorexia and involuntary weight loss are prevalent problems in oncology and AIDS patients. Cytokines are suspected but not proven causes of cachexia. Megestrol acetate has been found to increase appetite, food intake, and weight in randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients with advanced malignancies and in patients with AIDS. ⋯ No significant effect on survival has been demonstrated in these trials. The optimal dose for appetite enhancement is unknown; we have chosen 320 mg/d as our initial dose. Megestrol acetate is usually well tolerated, and it may be helpful in the symptomatic and palliative therapy of patients with anorexia and weight loss.