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

Four patients with severe cystic fibrosis lung disease, anorexia and weight loss, received Megestrol Acetate (MA), as an appetite stimulant. The initi al dose was 400-800 mg daily and was continued for 6-15 months. Appetite wa s 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 appr oximately the 25(th) percentile after 6 months of use and improvement in qu ality of life. One patient discontinued MA after 6 months, and subsequently appetite and weight were depressed. Pediatr Pulmonol, 1999; 28:380-382. (C ) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.