Megestrol acetate for the prevention of hot flashes

Megestrol acetate may be useful for reducing the frequency of hot flashes among men and women. It may be provide similar benefits to estrogen-replacement therapy in women, but without the unwanted side effect of stimulating tumor growth in women who have had breast cancer. Megestrol acetate may reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in men who have had androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Low doses of megestrol acetate may be both well-tolerated and effective. A study of 97 women with histories of breast cancer and 66 men with prostate cancer found that low doses of megestrol acetate lowered the daily incidence of hot flashes a few weeks after therapy began. Possible side effects such as the effect of low doses of megestrol acetate on the growth of tumors in the breast, endometrium, and prostate are not known. It also is not known whether prolonged use of megestrol acetate may lead to thromboembolic disease.