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Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL Suspension — NDC 17856-0060-03 package photo
Label image from the product's FDA listing (DailyMed) — may show a different pack size or an older label revision.

Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL Suspension — NDC 17856-0060-3 (Billing 17856-0060-03)

by ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP. · 72 CUP in 1 BOX / 10 mL in 1 CUP

This is a package of Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL Suspension from ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP., marketed since Mar 2022 and currently FDA-listed. It is the main listing for this product, which comes in 2 package sizes.

NDC 17856-0060-03
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 17856-0060-3 billing pads the package segment with a zero
This package
Contains10 mL in 1 cup Pack sizes2 compare ↓
Main listing for product 17856-0060 · Also comes in: 50 cups 17856-0060-4
Rx only Generic On market Non-controlled ⇄ Compare with another NDC
🗂️ FDA directory synced Oct 1, 2026 · this listing last changed Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

Identity & classification

Regulatory identifiers FDA, NLM and CMS codes for this package

FDA NDC (as labeled) 17856-0060-3
Product NDC 17856-0060
11-digit billing NDC 17856006003
RxCUI 860225
UNII TJ2M0FR8ES
Application # ANDA075671
SPL Set ID 01119031-9943-4afb-8b45-cb71682f0482
Established class (EPC) Progestin
Chemical class Progesterone Congeners
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category ANDA
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2022-03-21
Route ORAL
Dosage form SUSPENSION
Substance MEGESTROL ACETATE
TE code (Orange Book) AB · RLD · RS
Quick answers
  • RxCUI (RxNorm): 860225
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 17856-0060-3 — a 5-4-1 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the package segment → 17856-0060-03. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the Progestin class.

Pharmacologic class Progestin
Drug family (ATC) Progestogens, Pregnadien derivatives, Progestogens
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

Clinical

📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • It depends on the form. The oral suspension is used for appetite and weight loss in people with AIDS. The tablets are used for palliative treatment of advanced breast or endometria...
  • Both forms are taken by mouth. If you use the suspension, shake the bottle well first. It can be taken with or without meals. Follow your prescriber's directions and the label.
  • With the suspension, the common ones are nausea, diarrhea, rash, gas, weakness, high blood pressure, and impotence. Mention any that bother you. Call right away for signs of a bloo...
  • No. Megestrol can harm an unborn baby and should not be used in pregnancy. If you could become pregnant, you should have a negative pregnancy test first and use effective contracep...
📖 Read our full Megestrol guide →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer mLPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Try another pack size: 50 cups
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startMarketing endStatus
17856-0060-03 You're viewing this Main listing 72 CUP in 1 BOX / 10 mL in 1 CUP 2022-05-03 — Active
17856-0060-04 17856-0060-4 50 CUP in 1 BOX / 20 mL in 1 CUP 2022-05-03 — Active

Pack size FAQ

What quantity is in this package?
This package is listed by the FDA — 72 cup in 1 box / 10 ml in 1 cup.
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL Suspension?
Use the 11-digit billing form listed in the identifiers section of this page. Pharmacy and medical claims use the 11-digit form; the FDA label may print a shorter form of the same code.

Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 64380-0160-01 Strides 240 ml $0.136 AB Availability likely —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 70954-0896-10 ANI 240 ml $0.136 AB Availability likely —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 00116-4011-08 Xttrium 237 ml — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 400 mg/10mL 00121-0945-00 PAI 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 400 mg/10mL 00121-1038-00 PAI 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 400 mg/10mL 00904-7577-18 Major 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mLthis 17856-0060-03 ATLANTIC 72 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 51407-0910-24 Golden 240 ml — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 60687-0916-08 American 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 68094-0063-61 Precision 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 68094-0174-62 Precision 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 68788-8714-02 Preferred 240 ml — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 69339-0160-16 Natco 10 cups — AB FDA listed —
Megestrol Acetate 40 mg/mL 81033-0150-43 Kesin 30 cups — AB FDA listed —
About this product: this is a generic version of the medicine. FDA equivalence ratings are shown when available, and other versions are listed above, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & generic status

🏛️
2022
On the market since
Mar 2022
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
4 years listed
🔓
·
Generic on the market
this product is a generic
✅This is a generic drug

This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

Loading inactive ingredients from the official FDA label in the background. No external source is being called by this page request.
Where does this data come from?
Source: official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed and the openFDA label index. Structured IACT rows and label-wide narrative are kept separate; availability and product-level specificity depend on the submitted label.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
Application holderSTRIDES PHARMA INTERNATIONAL AG
FDA applicationANDA075671 (ANDA)
Labeler code17856
First marketedMar 2022
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio109 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Very long sections are excerpted here and marked; the full text is on DailyMed (linked in the sources below). Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration ⛔ Contraindications ⚠️ Warnings 🤒 Adverse Reactions 🆘 Overdosage 🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 📋 Description ⚠️ Precautions 🔬 Clinical Studies 📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel
🎯 Indications and Usage 32 words ▾

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Megestrol acetate oral suspension, USP is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 44 words ▾

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended adult initial dosage of megestrol acetate oral suspension, USP is 800 mg/day (20 mL/day). Shake container well before using. In clinical trials evaluating different dose schedules, daily doses of 400 and 800 mg/day were found to be clinically effective.

⛔ Contraindications 17 words ▾

CONTRAINDICATIONS History of hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any component of the formulation. Known or suspected pregnancy.

⚠️ Warnings ~1 min read ▾

WARNINGS Megestrol acetate may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For animal data on fetal effects, (see PRECAUTIONS: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Impairment of Fertility ). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking (receiving) this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. Megestrol acetate is not intended for prophylactic use to avoid weight loss.

(See also PRECAUTIONS: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility section.) The glucocorticoid activity of megestrol acetate oral suspension has not been fully evaluated. Clinical cases of new onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and overt Cushing's Syndrome have been reported in association with the chronic use of megestrol acetate. In addition, clinical cases of adrenal insufficiency have been observed in patients receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol acetate therapy in the stressed and non-stressed state.

Furthermore, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation testing has revealedthe frequent occurrence of asymptomatic pituitary-adrenal suppression in patients treated with chronic megestrol acetate therapy. Therefore, the possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be considered in any patient receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol acetate therapy who presents with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of hypoadrenalism (e.g., hypotension, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness) in either the stressed or non-stressed state.

Laboratory evaluation for adrenal insufficiency and consideration of replacement or stress doses of a rapidly acting glucocorticoid are strongly recommended in such patients. Failure to recognize inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may result in death. Finally, in patients who are receiving or being withdrawn from chronic megestrol acetate therapy, consideration should be given to the use of empiric therapy with stress doses of a rapidly acting glucocorticoid in conditions of stress or serious intercurrent illness (e.g., surgery, infection).

🤒 Adverse Reactions ~2 min read ▾

ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Adverse Events: Adverse events which occurred in at least 5% of patients in any arm of the two clinical efficacy trials and the open trial are listed below by treatment group. All patients listed had at least one post baseline visit during the 12 study weeks. These adverse events should be considered by the physician when prescribing megestrol acetate oral suspension.

ADVERSE EVENTS% of Patients Reporting Trial 1 (N = 236) Trail 2 (N=87) Open Label Trial Megestrol Acetate mg/day No. of Patients Placebo 0 N=34 100 N=68 400 N=69 800 N=65 Placebo 0 N=38 800 N=49 1200 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 0 2 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 Postmarketing - Postmarketing reports associated with megestrol acetate oral suspension include thromboembolic phenomena including thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism and glucose intolerance (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ).

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Strides Pharma Inc. at 1-877-244-9825 or go to www.strides.com or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

🆘 Overdosage 107 words ▾

OVERDOSAGE No serious unexpected side effects have resulted from studies involving megestrol acetate oral suspension administered in dosages as high as 1200 mg/day. In post-marketing experience, limited reports of overdose have been received. Signs and symptoms reported in the context of overdose included diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, cough, unsteady gait, listlessness, and chest pain.

There is no specific antidote for overdose with megestrol acetate oral suspension. In case of overdose, appropriate supportive measures should be taken. Megestrol acetate has not been tested for dialyzability, however, due to its low solubility it is postulated that dialysis would not be an effective means of treating overdose

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ~2 min read ▾

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY The precise mechanism by which megestrol acetate produces effects in anorexia and cachexia is unknown at the present time. There are several analytical methods used to estimate megestrol acetate plasma concentrations, including gas chromatography-mass fragmentography (GC-MF), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). The GC-MF and HPLC methods are specific for megestrol acetate and yield equivalent concentrations.

The RIA method reacts to megestrol acetate metabolites and is, therefore, non-specific and indicates higher concentrations than the GC-MF and HPLC methods. Plasma concentrations are dependent, not only on the method used, but also on intestinal and hepatic inactivation of the drug, which may be affected by factors such as intestinal tract motility, intestinal bacteria, antibiotics administered, body weight, diet and liver function. The major route of drug elimination in humans is urine.

When radiolabeled megestrol acetate was administered to humans in doses of 4 to 90 mg, the urinary excretion within 10 days ranged from 56.5 to 78.4% (mean 66.4%) and fecal excretion ranged from 7.7 to 30.3% (mean 19.8%). The total recovered radioactivity varied between 83.1 and 94.7% (mean 86.2%). Megestrol acetate metabolites which were identified in urine constituted 5 to 8% of the dose administered.

Respiratory excretion as labeled carbon dioxide and fat storage may have accounted for at least part of the radioactivity not found in urine and feces. Plasma steady state pharmacokinetics of megestrol acetate were evaluated in 10 adult, cachectic male patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and an involuntary weight loss greater than 10% of baseline. Patients received single oral doses of 800 mg/day of megestrol acetate oral suspension for 21 days.

Plasma concentration data obtained on day 21 were evaluated for up to 48 hours past the last dose. Mean (±1SD) peak plasma concentration (C max ) of megestrol acetate was 753 (±539) ng/mL. Mean area under the concentration time-curve (AUC) was 10476 (±7788) ng x hr/mL.

Median T max value was five hours. Seven of 10 patients gained weight in three weeks. Additionally, 24 adult, asymptomatic HIV seropositive male subjects were dosed once daily with 750 mg of megestrol acetate oral suspension.

The treatment was administered for 14 days. Mean C max and AUC values were 490 (±238) ng/mL and 6779 (±3048) ng x hr/mL, respectively. The median T max value was three hours.

The mean C min value was 202 (±101) ng/mL. The mean % of fluctuation value was 107 (±40). The effect of food on the bioavailability of megestrol acetate oral suspension has not been evaluated.

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 110 words ▾

HOW SUPPLIED Megestrol acetate oral suspension, USP is available as a milky white, lemon-lime flavored oral suspension containing 40 mg of micronized megestrol acetate per mL. NDC 17856-0060-01 10ML NDC 17856-0060-02 20ML STORAGE: Store the oral suspension between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP]. Dispense in a tight container.

Protect from heat. SPECIAL HANDLING: Health Hazard Data: There is no threshold limit value established by OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH. Exposure or "overdose" at levels approaching recommended dosing levels could result in side effects described above (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

Women at risk of pregnancy should avoid such exposure. Distributed by: ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP. MIAMI, FL 33179

📋 Description 143 words ▾

DESCRIPTION Megestrol Acetate Oral Suspension, USP contains megestrol acetate, a synthetic derivative of the steroid hormone, progesterone. Megestrol acetate is a white, crystalline solid chemically designated as 17-Hydroxy-6-methylpregna-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: Megestrol acetate oral suspension is supplied as an oral suspension containing 40 mg of micronized megestrol acetate per mL. Megestrol acetate oral suspension contains the following inactive ingredients: alcohol (max 0.06% v/v from flavor), artificial lime flavor, citric acid monohydrate, docusate sodium, glycerin, natural and artificial lemon flavor, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sucrose and xanthan gum.

Megestrol acetate oral suspension, 40 mg/mL complies with USP Dissolution Test 2. Chemical formula

⚠️ Precautions ~3 min read ▾

PRECAUTIONS General: Therapy with megestrol acetate oral suspension for weight loss should only be instituted after treatable causes of weight loss are sought and addressed. These treatable causes include possible malignancies, systemic infections, gastrointestinal disorders affecting absorption, endocrine disease and renal or psychiatric diseases. Effects on HIV viral replication have not been determined.

Use with caution in patients with a history of thromboembolic disease. Use in Diabetics: Exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes with increased insulin requirements has been reported in association with the use of megestrol acetate. Information for Patients: Patients using megestrol acetate should receive the following instructions: This medication is to be used as directed by the physician.

Report any adverse reaction experiences while taking this medication. Use contraception while taking this medication if you are a woman capable of becoming pregnant. Notify your physician if you become pregnant while taking this medication.

Drug Interactions: Pharmacokinetic studies show that there are no significant alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters of zidovudine or rifabutin to warrant dosage adjustment when megestrol acetate is administered with these drugs. The effects of zidovudine or rifabutin on the pharmacokinetics of megestrol acetate were not studied. Megestrol acetate may interact with warfarin and increase International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Closely monitor INR in patients taking megestrol acetate and warfarin. Animal Toxicology: Long-term treatment with megestrol acetate may increase the risk of respiratory infections. A trend toward increased frequency of respiratory infections, decreased lymphocyte counts, and increased neutrophil counts was observed in a two-year chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of megestrol acetate conducted in rats.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Carcinogenesis - Data on carcinogenesis were obtained from studies conducted in dogs, monkeys and rats treated with megestrol acetate at doses 53.2, 26.6 and 1.3 times lower than the proposed dose (13.3 mg/kg/day) for humans. No males were used in the dog and monkey studies. In female beagles, megestrol acetate (0.01, 0.1 or 0.25 mg/kg/day) administered for up to 7 years induced both benign and malignant tumors of the breast.

In female monkeys, no tumors were found following 10 years of treatment with 0.01, 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg/day megestrol acetate. Pituitary tumors were observed in female rats treated with 3.9 or 10 mg/kg/day of megestrol acetate for 2 years. The relationship of these tumors in rats and dogs to humans is unknown but should be considered in assessing the risk-to-benefit ratio when prescribing megestrol acetate oral suspension and in surveillance of patients on therapy.

(See WARNINGS .) Mutagenesis - No mutagenesis data are currently available. Impairment of Fertility - Perinatal/postnatal (segment III) toxicity studies were performed in rats at doses (0.05 to 12.5 mg/kg) less than that indicated for humans (13.3 mg/kg); in these low dose studies, the reproductive capability of male offspring of megestrol acetate-treated females was impaired. Similar results were obtained in dogs.

Pregnant rats treated with megestrol acetate showed a reduction in fetal weight and number of live births, and feminization of male fetuses. No toxicity data are currently available on male reproduction (spermatogenesis). Pregnancy: No adequate animal teratology information is available at clinically relevant doses.

(See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Impairment of Fertility. ) Nursing Mothers: Because of the potential for adverse effects on the newborn, nursing should be discontinued if megestrol acetate oral suspension is required. Use in Women: Breakthrough bleeding was observed in all 10 female patients participating in the clinical trials. Megestrol acetate oral suspension is a proge… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

🔬 Clinical Studies ~3 min read ▾

DESCRIPTION OF CLINICAL STUDIES The clinical efficacy of megestrol acetate oral suspension was assessed in two clinical trials. One was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing megestrol acetate (MA) at doses of 100 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg per day versus placebo in AIDS patients with anorexia/cachexia and significant weight loss. Of the 270 patients entered on study, 195 met all inclusion/exclusion criteria, had at least two additional post baseline weight measurements over a 12 week period or had one post baseline weight measurement but dropped out for therapeutic failure.

The percent of patients gaining five or more pounds at maximum weight gain in 12 study weeks was statistically significantly greater for the 800 mg (64%) and 400 mg (57%) MA-treated groups than for the placebo group (24%). Mean weight increased from baseline to last evaluation in 12 study weeks in the 800 mg MA-treated group by 7.8 pounds, the 400 mg MA group by 4.2 pounds, the 100 mg MA group by 1.9 pounds and decreased in the placebo group by 1.6 pounds. Mean weight changes at 4, 8 and 12 weeks for patients evaluable for efficacy in the two clinical trials are shown graphically.

Changes in body composition during the 12 study weeks as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis showed increases innon-water body weight in the MA-treated groups (see CLINICAL STUDIES table). In addition, edema developed or worsened in only 3 patients. Greater percentages of MA-treated patients in the 800 mg group (89%), the 400 mg group (68%) and the 100 mg group (72%), than in the placebo group (50%), showed an improvement in appetite at last evaluation during the 12 study weeks.

A statistically significant difference was observed between the 800 mg MA-treated group and the placebo group in the change in caloric intake from baseline to time of maximum weight change. Patients were asked to assess weight change, appetite, appearance, and overall perception of well-being in a 9 question survey. At maximum weight change only the 800 mg MA-treated group gave responses that were statistically significantly more favorable to all questions when compared to the placebo-treated group.

A dose response was noted in the survey with positive responses correlating with higher dose for all questions. The second trial was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing megestrol acetate 800 mg/day versus placebo in AIDS patients with anorexia/cachexia and significant weight loss. Of the 100 patients entered on study, 65 met all inclusion/exclusion criteria, had at least two additional post baseline weight measurements over a 12 week period or had one post baseline weight measurement but dropped out for therapeutic failure.

Patients in the 800 mg MA-treated group had a statistically significantly larger increase in mean maximum weight change than patients in the placebo group. From baseline to study week 12, mean weight increased by 11.2 pounds in the MA-treated group and decreased 2.1 pounds in the placebo group. Changes in body composition as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis showed increases in non-water weight in the MA-treated group (see CLINICAL STUDIES table).

No edema was reported in the MA-treated group. A greater percentage of MA-treated patients (67%) than placebo-treated patients (38%) showed an improvement in appetite at last evaluation during the 12 study weeks; this difference was statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups in mean caloric change or in daily caloric intake at time to maximum weight change.

In the same 9 question survey referenced in the first trial, patients' assessments of weight change, appetite, appearance, and overall perception of well-being showed increases in mean scores in MA-treated patients as compared to the placebo group. In both trials, no statistically significant differences were seen between the treatment groups… [Excerpted — this section continues on DailyMed.]

📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel 8 words ▾

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL image description image description

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗

Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Megestrol Acetate — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 9 manufacturers.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Megestrol Acetate. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Period
Total Part D spend
$5.89M
Claims incl. refills
105.2K
Beneficiaries
66.1K
Spend / beneficiary
$89.15
Spend / claim
$56.02
Trend by period
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) — Not published for this NDC The labeler did not submit a structured excipient list, or no SPL is available.
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data ✓ Available
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The form printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed is the one the FDA registered. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero and the dashes are dropped. The Identity section at the top of this page lists each form of this code.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Does this product come in other package sizes?
Yes — the FDA directory lists 1 other package presentation of this same product, including 50 cups (17856-0060-04). Each has its own NDC and its own page — see the package list near the top of this page.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP. is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.
← 17856-0059-01 · ATLANTIC 17856-0065-01 · ATLANTIC →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.