MEGESTROL ACETATE vs NORPLANT

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 22, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. MEGESTROL ACETATE and NORPLANT are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	MEGESTROL ACETATE	NORPLANT
Rating	70/100	New
Pharmacy pays	~$7.14 /30	~$192.31 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	MEGESTROL ACETATE	LEVONORGESTREL
Manufacturer	Novitium Pharma	Population Council
Dosage forms	Tablet, Suspension	Implant
Drug class	Progestin	Progestin
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	—	about 36 hours (36 ± 13 hours at steady state)
Treats	Anorexia, Breast Neoplasms, Cachexia	—

megestrol acetate norplant

Rating

70/100

New

Pharmacy pays

~$7.14 /30

~$192.31 /30

Type

Active ingredient

MEGESTROL ACETATE

LEVONORGESTREL

Manufacturer

Novitium Pharma

Population Council

Dosage forms

Tablet, Suspension

Implant

Drug class

Progestin

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

—

about 36 hours (36 ± 13 hours at steady state)

Treats

Anorexia, Breast Neoplasms, Cachexia

—

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Megestrol Acetate or Norplant?

Megestrol Acetate costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $7.14 vs $192.31 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Megestrol Acetate and Norplant?

Megestrol Acetate contains Megestrol Acetate, while Norplant contains Levonorgestrel — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.