5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Chicago, IL - February 1-5, 1998

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1998 Feb 1-5; 5th:169 (abstract no. 478)

Gibert C, Koller E, Mann M, Bacsanyi J, Malozowski S; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC.

The association between pharmacological doses of corticosteroids and the development of avascular necrosis has been well documented. Recent reports have described the corticosteroid activity of megestrol acetate. A retrospective review of the adverse reactions reported to the U.S. FDA identified three AIDS patients that developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head while on megestrol acetate for wasting. All were males, aged 34, 36 and 55 years, and were on this therapy for 6, 15, and 18 months when symptoms of avascular necrosis occurred in the absence of antecedent trauma. Megestrol acetate doses were 640, 320, and 600-1200 mg/day, respectively. Two patients had no history of prior corticosteroid use while the third had taken an undisclosed dose and duration of corticosteroids concurrent to pentamidine administration. Notably, despite the predominant use of megestrol acetate in women for hormone sensitive malignancies, none of the reports of avascular necrosis occurred in this population. Thus, cachectic AIDS patients may be at additional risk for developing avascular necrosis when receiving megestrol acetate. Gait disturbances or pain in the lower extremities may be an indication of this complication in AIDS subjects taking megestrol acetate.

1998-02-01
478

Copyright © 1998 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Licensed from National Library of Medicine.