MEGESTROL ACETATE

Megestrol acetate oral suspension contains megestrol acetate, a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring steroid hormone, progesterone. Megestrol acetate is a white, crystalline solid chemically designated as 17-Hydroxy-6-methyl pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione acetate. Solubility at 37° C in water is 2 mcg per mL, solubility in plasma is 24 mcg per mL. Its molecular weight is 384.52. The chemical formula is C 24 H 32 O 4 and the structural formula is represented as follows: Figure 1: Megestrol Acetate Chemical Structure Megestrol acetate oral suspension is an oral suspension containing 125 mg of megestrol acetate per mL. Megestrol acetate oral suspension contains the following inactive ingredients: alcohol (max 0.07% v/v from flavor), citric acid monohydrate, hypromellose, lemon flavor, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sucrose. The USP dissolution test is pending. b5862d67-figure-01

Megestrol acetate oral suspension is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Limitations of Use Therapy with megestrol acetate oral suspension for weight loss should only be insti‑tuted after treatable causes of weight loss are sought and addressed. These treatable causes include possible malignancies, systemic infections, gastrointestinal disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease, renal disease or psychiatric diseases. Megestrol acetate oral suspension is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss. Megestrol acetate oral suspension is a progestin indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (1) .

• Obtain a negative pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment ( 2.1 ) • The recommended adult initial dosage of megestrol acetate oral suspension is 625 mg/day (5 mL/day or one teaspoon daily) ( 2.2 ). • Shake container well before using ( 2.2 ). 2.1 Testing Prior to Megestrol Acetate Oral Suspension Administration • Obtain a negative pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment with megestrol acetate oral suspension [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 )]. 2.2 Dosing and Administration • The recommended adult initial dosage of megestrol acetate oral suspension is 625 mg/day (5 mL/day or one teaspoon daily). • Shake the container well before using. • This strength (125 mg/mL) is not substitutable with other strengths (e.g., 40 mg/mL). Refer to the prescribing information of the 40 mg/mL product for dosage recommendations for the 40 mg/mL strength.

• History of hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any component of the formulation. • Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 )]. • History of hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any component of the formulation ( 4 ). • Pregnancy ( 4 )( 8.1 ).

The most common adverse events occurring in > 5% of all patients receiving 800mg/20mL of megestrol acetate oral suspension in the two clinical efficacy trials were nausea, diarrhea, impotence, rash, flatulence, hypertension, and asthenia (6.2) . To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact TWi Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-518-2989 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Serious and Otherwise Important Adverse Reactions The following serious reactions and otherwise important adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications ( 4 )] • Thromboembolic Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Diabetes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] 6.2 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of megestrol acetate oral suspension, 125 mg/mL was based on three studies of megestrol acetate oral suspension (40 mg/mL). The adverse reaction profile of these 3 studies are presented below. Adverse events which occurred in at least 5% of patients in any arm of the two clinical efficacy trials and the open trial for megestrol acetate oral suspension are listed below by treatment group. All patients listed had at least one post baseline visit during the 12 study weeks. Table 1: Adverse Events Percentage of Patients Reporting Adverse Events Trial 1 (N=236) Trial 2 (N=87) Open Label Trial Placebo Placebo Megestrol Acetate mg/day 0 100 400 800 0 800 1200 No. of Patients N=34 N=68 N=69 N=65 N=38 N=49 N=176 Diarrhea 15 13 8 15 8 6 10 Impotence 3 4 6 14 0 4 7 Rash 9 9 4 12 3 2 6 Flatulence 9 0 1 9 3 10 6 Hypertension 0 0 0 8 0 0 4 Asthenia 3 2 3 6 8 4 5 Insomnia 0 3 4 6 0 0 1 Nausea 9 4 0 5 3 4 5 Anemia 6 3 3 5 0 0 0 Fever 3 6 4 5 3 2 1 Libido Decreased 3 4 0 5 0 2 1 Dyspepsia 0 0 3 3 5 4 2 Hyperglycemia 3 0 6 3 0 0 3 Headache 6 10 1 3 3 0 3 Pain 6 0 0 2 5 6 4 Vomiting 9 3 0 2 3 6 4 Pneumonia 6 2 0 2 3 0 1 Urinary Frequency 0 0 1 2 5 2 1 Adverse events which occurred in 1% to 3% of all patients enrolled in the two clinical efficacy trials with at least one follow-up visit during the first 12 weeks of the study are listed below by body system. Adverse events occurring less than 1% are not included. There were no significant differences between incidence of these events in patients treated with megestrol acetate and patients treated with placebo. Body as a Whole - abdominal pain, chest pain, infection, moniliasis and sarcoma Cardiovascular System - cardiomyopathy and palpitation Digestive System - constipation, dry mouth, hepatomegaly, increased salivation and oral moniliasis Hemic and Lymphatic System - leukopenia Metabolic and Nutritional - LDH increased, edema and peripheral edema Nervous System - paresthesia, confusion, convulsion, depression, neuropathy, hypesthesia and abnormal thinking Respiratory System - dyspnea, cough, pharyngitis and lung disorder Skin and Appendages - alopecia, herpes, pruritus, vesiculobullous rash, sweating and skin disorder Special Senses - amblyopia Urogenital System - albuminuria, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection and gynecomastia. 6.3 Postmarketing Experience Postmarketing reports associated with megestrol acetate oral suspension include thromboembolic phenomena including thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism; and glucose intolerance.

Due to a significant decrease in indinavir exposure, administration of a higher dose of indinavir should be considered when coadministering with megestrol acetate ( 7.1 , 12.3 ). 7.1 Indinavir Due to the significant decrease in the exposure of indinavir by megestrol acetate, administration of a higher dose of indinavir should be considered when coadministering with megestrol acetate [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.2 Zidovudine and Rifabutin No dosage adjustment for zidovudine and rifabutin is needed when megestrol acetate is coadministered with these drugs [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .