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Megestrol Acetate for Treatment of Cachexia Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
- Jamie H. Von Roenn, MD;
- Robert L. Murphy, MD;
- Kathleen M. Weber, RN, BSN;
- Lisa M. Williams, RN, BSN; and
- Sigmund A. Weitzman, MD
Excerpt
Cachexia is a common problem in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and predicts a poor prognosis (1, 2). The deleterious effects of malnutrition on immunity to infection are well recognized (3, 4). Therefore, evaluation of nutritional status and treatment, if indicated, in persons with HIV infection may be particularly important.
Recently, megestrol acetate, a synthetic orally active progesterone widely used for the therapy of advanced breast cancer, was reported to stimulate the appetite and produce weight gain (5). On the basis of this information, we initiated megestrol acetate therapy in persons with HIV infection and severe anorexia and
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
Article and Author Information
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From Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois. For current author addresses, see end of text.
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Requests for Reprints: Jamie H. Von Roenn, MD, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Von Roenn and Weizman and Ms. Weber and Ms. Williams: Northwestern University Medical School, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Dr. Murphy: 717 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60605.
