Products
Degarelix is commercially available as a powder and solvent for solution for injection (Firmagon). It was approved in many countries in February 2010.
Structure and properties
Degarelix is a decapeptide derived from gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a hormone of the hypothalamus. It is present in drugs as degarelix acetate and differs from the natural substance in seven amino acids.
Effects
Degarelix (ATC L02BX02) binds competitively and reversibly to the pituitary GnRH receptors and reduces the release of LH and FSH, thereby reducing the release of testosterone in the testes. This results in hormonal castration. Unlike GnRH agonists, there is no initial increase in hormones.
Indications
For the treatment of adult male patients with advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. The drug is administered subcutaneously.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Women
- Pediatrics
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
No information on drug-drug interactions is available.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include hot flashes, weight gain, and injection site reactions.
