• Brand Names: U.S.: Firmagon®
• Brand Names: Canada: Firmagon®
• Pharmacologic Category: Antineoplastic Agent, Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist;Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist

• It is used to treat prostate cancer.
• Degarelix slows prostate cancer growth by lowering testosterone levels.

How to take

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Do not use pressure (waist band or belt) on the part where the shot is given.
• Take calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your doctor.

Missed Dose

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

Storage

• This drug will be given to you in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

Warnings

• Unsafe side effects may happen. This drug cannot be taken while you are taking some other drugs. Check all the drugs you are taking with your doctor.

Avoid

• If you have an allergy to degarelix or any other part of this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you are a woman.

Precautions

• If you have heart disease, talk with your doctor.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with your doctor.
• If you have liver disease, talk with your doctor.
• If you have low or high levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium in your blood, talk with your doctor.
• Have your blood work checked often. Talk with your doctor.
• Have a bone density test. Talk with your doctor.
• Check all drugs you are taking with your doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.

Side Effects

• Flushing. Wearing layers of clothes or summer clothes and staying in cool places may help.
• Weight gain.
• Short-term pain after use.
• Change in sex ability. This most often goes back to normal.
• Weak bones with long-term use.

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Any rash.
• Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a very bad allergy, wear an allergy ID at all times.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.

• Copyright © 1978-2010 Lexi-Comp Inc. All rights reserved.