ntensity, occurred primarily with the starting dose and led to few discontinuations (<1%). Grade 3 (severe) injection site reactions occurred in 2% or less of patients receiving degarelix. Degarelix is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to degarelix or to any of the product components. Degarelix is not indicated in women or pediatric patients. Long-term androgen deprivation therapy prolongs the QT interval. Physicians should consider whether the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the potential risks in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, electrolyte abnormalities, or congestive heart failure and in patients taking Class IA (e.g. quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications.
Degarelix Paitent Information
Read this patient information leaflet before you start taking degarelix and each time you get a refill.
There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is degarelix?
Degarelix is a prescrpition medicine used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
It is not known if degarelix is safe or effective in children.
Who should not use degarelix?
Degarelix should not be given to:
• people who are allergic to any of the other ingredients in degarelix. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in degarelix
• women who are pregnant or may become pregnant
Talk to your healthcare provider before getting degarelix if you have any of these conditions.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving degarelix?
Before receiving degarelix, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
• have any heart problems
• have problems with balance of your body salts or electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium,and magnesium
• have kidney or liver problems
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if degarelix passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take degarelix or breast feed. You should not do both without talking with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking or have taken any medicines for your heart.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I receive degarelix?
• You will receive an injection of degarelix from your healthcare provider.
• The injection site will always be in the abdominal area but will change within that area with the next doses of degarelix.
• The injected medicine gives you a continuous release of degarelix over one month.
• Two injections are given as a first dose and the following monthly doses are one injection.
• Make sure your injection site is free of any pressure from belts, waistbands or other types of clothing.
• Always set up an appointment for your next injection.
• If you miss a dose of degarelix, or if you think you forgot to get your monthly dose of degarelix, talk to your healthcare provider about how to get your next dose.
What are the possible side effects of degarelix?
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