Firmagon (degarelix) is an injection used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It's given by a healthcare provider and can't be injected at home on your own.
Advanced prostate cancer
Firmagon (degarelix) is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. It blocks a natural hormone in your brain called GnRH that typically releases testosterone. This lowers the amount of testosterone in your body.
High levels of testosterone in men with prostate cancer can cause the tumor to get bigger. By lowering the amount of testosterone in the body, Firmagon (degarelix) helps shrink or slow tumor growth.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Back pain
blurred vision
dizziness
flushing or redness of the skin
hard lump
headache
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
small lumps under the skin
swelling
unusually warm skin
Less common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
chills
decrease in testicle size
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty in moving
frequent urge to urinate
inability to have or keep an erection
increased sweating
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
lower back or side pain
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in the joints
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
feeling of warmth
increased weight
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
sudden sweating
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Only given once a month
Doesn't cause tumor-flare syndrome (tumor growth) when you start treatment, like other prostate cancer medications
Starts to lower testosterone levels very quickly; many people reach their testosterone goal levels in 1 to 3 days
Only available as an injection
Must be given by a healthcare provider
Very expensive and no generic available
Firmagon (degarelix) is given by a healthcare provider at their office or clinic.
You'll receive 2 injections as your first dose. Then, you'll get 1 injection for your following monthly doses.
Always schedule an appointment for your next injection, since it needs to be given monthly. Remember to mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss your appointments.
Firmagon (degarelix) is injected under the skin in the stomach area. The injection site will change within the stomach area each time you receive a dose of Firmagon (degarelix). This helps lower your risk of skin irritation.
Don't rub or scratch the injection site. Make sure your injection site is free of any pressure from belts, waistbands, or other types of clothing.
Firmagon (degarelix) can cause hot flashes and flushing (redness and warm feeling throughout the body). Wear loose clothing, and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods to lower possible effects from hot flashes.
Firmagon (degarelix) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Firmagon (degarelix) can cause dangerous allergic reactions. If you have trouble breathing, notice hives on your skin, or swelling of your tongue, lips, neck, or face (angioedema), tell your healthcare provider right away.
Risk factors: Heart conditions | Taking medications that affect heart rhythm | Electrolyte imbalance
Firmagon (degarelix) can cause a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. You might be at higher risk if you have certain heart conditions, have electrolyte imbalances often, or take certain medications (e.g., medications that control your heart rhythm, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics). Depending on your risk for this problem, your provider might regularly check your heart rhythm through heart scans (electrocardiogram, EKG) and your electrolyte levels through blood tests. If you feel chest pain, a racing heart, or fluttering in your chest, call 911 and get medical attention right away.
Firmagon (degarelix) is not approved for females and should never be used in females. This is because the medication can cause harm to an unborn baby, such as birth defects. It might also cause the loss of the baby (miscarriage).
Firmagon (degarelix) is only available as an injection that's given by a healthcare provider.
Starting dose: The dose is 240 mg injected under your skin (subcutaneous), given as 2 injections (120 mg each) at your first clinic visit.
Maintenance dose: After your first dose, you will receive regular doses every 28 days. This maintenance dose is given as 80 mg injected under your skin as a single injection.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Prostate cancer
Advanced hormone-receptive positive (HR+) breast cancer
Endometriosis
Endometrial thinning before endometrial ablation
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