Megestrol

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on December 4, 2023

Megestrol (me JES trole) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for conditions, including weight loss due to anorexia in adults. Megestrol is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of megestrol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved megestrol oral tablet for palliative treatment of advanced breast or endometrial cancer in adults. Palliative treatment is given when other treatments for cancer are no longer effective.

Megestrol oral suspension is approved for the following uses in adults:

• anorexia
• cachexia
• unexplained severe weight loss due to AIDS

Read on to learn about megestrol and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about megestrol, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of megestrol

Like other medications, the cost of megestrol can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much megestrol costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for megestrol” section.

Coupons for megestrol

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of megestrol. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for megestrol

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of megestrol. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for megestrol. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking megestrol long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Megestrol is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Megestrol is based on the brand-name version Megace, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Common questions about megestrol and cost

Here are some common questions about megestrol and their answers.

Does megestrol oral tablet cost less than the oral suspension form of the drug?

Your cost of megestrol may vary depending on the dosage form your doctor prescribes. It may also depend on which form your insurance company prefers. To find out the cost of megestrol oral tablet and oral suspension, contact your insurance plan administrator. If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your pharmacist for the cash price of each form of the drug. To find out which form is best for your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about megestrol

This article provides cost information related to megestrol. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for megestrol.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will my dosage of megestrol affect the cost?
• Are there other lower-cost medications to treat my condition?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm 
• Megestrol acetate oral suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2dc921d5-e423-4379-a345-151e87d13651/spl-doc
• Megestrol acetate tablet USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1ead6d47-c975-4c1b-a756-7999d8bb8ef8/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.