How long does it take for Degarelix to work?
Degarelix works almost immediately, with an initial injection of degarelix causing a drop in testosterone levels of 88% after 1 day. Within 3 days, levels had dropped by 94%, and by 28 days, 98%. When given every 28 days, levels of testosterone remain at least 98% below normal.
The initial dose of degarelix is 240 mg (given as two subcutaneous injections of 120 mg) and the maintenance dose is 80mg given once every 28 days. When given using this dosage regimen, degarelix is effective in achieving and maintaining testosterone suppression below the castration level of 50 ng/dL.
Degarelix works by binding to pituitary GnRH receptors, reducing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and subsequently testosterone. It may be used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and also for medical castration. Degarelix belongs to the class of medicines known as GnRH receptor antagonists.
References
- Degarelix Updated 10/2021 AHFS Monograph https://www.drugs.com/monograph/degarelix.html
- Firmagon (degarelix acetate) Updated 03/2020. Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/firmagon.html#s-34090-1
- Firmagon (degarelix acetate) https://firmagon.com/hcp/low-testosterone/
Read next
Is Firmagon (degarelix) the same as Lupron?
No, Firmagon (degarelix) is not the same as Lupron but they are both hormone deprivation treatments that may be used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Firmagon takes a more direct path to testosterone suppression than Lupron. Firmagon is an antagonist that immediately stops testosterone production, preventing a testosterone surge and eliminating the need for any additional therapies. Lupron is an agonist that desensitizes the GnRH receptor but causes an initial surge in testosterone and may require additional medication. Continue reading
Why has Xtandi stopped working and what do I take next?
Prostate cancer cells, like bacteria, can evolve over time and become resistant to treatments, including the hormone therapy and androgen receptor inhibitor Xtandi (enzalutamide). The cancer cells work to reprogram their environment and develop strategies that enable them to transform and survive.
If treatment with Xtandi stops working then other treatments may be offered, such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiotherapy
Stopping treatment with Xtandi may also result in an antiandrogen withdrawal response (AAWR), which can cause the cancer to stop growing or shrink for the period of time.
Continue reading
How long does Xtandi work?
Xtandi is typically taken until prostate cancer starts to progress or spread (metastasize), or until the patient can no longer tolerate therapy because of the side effects or adverse events it causes.
In clinical trials, Xtandi was effective at delaying the time to disease progression in men with advanced prostate cancer. In men who had not received prior treatment with chemotherapy, Xtandi was also effective at delaying the need for treatment with a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent.
In the AFFIRM trial, treatment with Xtandi extended life by almost 5 months in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Continue reading
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Drug information
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