A patient diagnosed with AIDS complains of nausea, fever, severe diarrhea, and anorexia. Which of the following medications would be the most effective to relieve the anorexia, as well as to stimulate the patient's appetite?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Megestrol (Megace) is a medication frequently used to stimulate appetite in patients with AIDS-related anorexia. It is a synthetic steroid that acts as a potent progestational agent, which enhances appetite and weight gain. The medication has been shown to increase body weight, improve quality of life, and decrease symptom distress in patients with AIDS-associated cachexia. Ciprofloxacin and zidovudine are not effective against anorexia, whereas abacavir is an antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV infection, but it does not affect appetite or weight gain.

A Patient Diagnosed with AIDS Complains of Nausea, Fever, Severe