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Firmagon

Degarelix

DEGARELIX is used to treat men with advanced prostate cancer. Compare gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists.
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Therapeutic ClassificationsAntiandrogen

Pharmacologic ClassificationsLuteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Antagonist

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OverviewTOP

Degarelix is used in men to treat advanced prostate cancer. Degarelix is a type of medicine called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. It helps treat prostate cancer by lowering the amount of testosterone hormone in the blood. In some patients, testosterone will cause prostate cancer to grow larger.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Proper UseTOP

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin in the stomach area.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions in the leaflet carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Missed DoseTOP

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of degarelix in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

GeriatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of degarelix in the elderly.

PregnancyTOP

Pregnancy CategoryExplanation
All TrimestersXStudies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breast FeedingTOP

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug InteractionsTOP

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.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical ProblemsTOP

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Congestive heart failure or
  • Heart rhythm problems (e.g., prolonged QT interval) or
  • Mineral imbalance (low calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium in the blood)—May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Kidney disease, severe or
  • Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.

PrecautionsTOP

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine can cause a change in heart rhythm called prolongation of the QT interval. This condition may change the way your heart beats (faster or slower) and can cause chest pain, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms or any questions.

This medicine may decrease bone mineral density when used for a long time. A low bone mineral density can cause weak bones or osteoporosis. If you have any questions about this ask your doctor.

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