{"id":40733,"date":"2023-08-22T07:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T07:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=40733"},"modified":"2026-05-30T21:34:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T21:34:55","slug":"degarelix-firmagon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/prostate-health\/degarelix-firmagon\/","title":{"rendered":"Degarelix (Firmagon) For Cancer: Side Effects, Interactions and Uses"},"content":{"rendered":"Degarelix (Firmagon) is a type of hormone therapy used to treat advanced prostate cancer.\n\n\n\n\n\nKeep reading to learn more about this injectable medication, including Degarelix\u2019s side effects, whether it is a type of chemotherapy, medication interactions, and more.\n\n\n\n\n

What is Degarelix (Firmagon)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nDegarelix is a drug sold and marketed by Ferring Laboratories. It is currently sold as a brand name only, with no generic alternatives.\n\n\n\n\n\nDegarelix has been recommended by the FDA for the treatment of advanced-stage prostate cancer.\n\n\n\n\n\nAll its presentations come in injection vials, which may contain either 120 mg or 80 mg per vial.\n\n\n\n\n\nDegarelix blocks the synthesis and release of testosterone. This is an alternative therapy to other anti-androgen drugs and surgical castration, which is rarely used anymore.\n\n\n\n\n

What is Degarelix used for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nDegarelix has been widely used for different types of advanced prostate cancer. It is an alternative to traditional hormonal treatment<\/a> and was approved by the FDA for treating prostate cancer in 2008.\n\n\n\n\n\nSince then, Degarelix has been used for testosterone suppression when it contributes to prostate enlargement.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What are the side effects of Degarelix?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nData from a recent study<\/a> reported that Degarelix has almost the same adverse effects as standard hormone therapy.\n\n\n\n\n\nIn other words, there is no advantage or disadvantage to using Degarelix compared to other anti-androgen treatments.\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mild and moderate Degarelix side effects (more common)<\/strong><\/td>\nSevere Degarelix side effects (not frequent)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pain at the site of injection<\/td>\nElectric abnormalities in the QT interval<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Local erythema, induration, or nodule formation<\/td>\nSevere diarrhea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight gain<\/td>\nAnaphylactic reactions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transient ALT increases<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headache<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tiredness or fatigue<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transient changes in bowel habits<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nCardiovascular risks, such as stroke and heart attack, are still unclear. The only adverse defect with a very high incidence is pain at the injection site.\n\n\n\n\n\nIn addition to the study above, we can highlight others carried out at an early stage before receiving FDA approval. Among these tolerability studies<\/a>, we can mention the following findings:\n\n\n\n\n

Injection site pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nInjection site pain is the most common side effect of Degarelix that may occur in 28% of cases.\n\n\n\n\n\nThese injection site symptoms are mostly transient and considered mild to moderate in intensity.\n\n\n\n\n\nDespite the occasional occurrence of pain at the injection site, subcutaneous treatment is well tolerated.\n\n\n\n\n\nPatients with one year of treatment generally have no problems leading to discontinuation. Less than 1% of patients were forced to discontinue treatment for this type of adverse effect.\n\n\n\n\n

Weight gain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nBesides injection site reaction, the most frequent adverse events were weight gain and ALT increases. Thus, special attention should be given to liver health in patients receiving Degarelix.\n\n\n\n\n

Chills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nSome patients may experience chills 5 to 10 hours after administering Degarelix. This symptom usually lasts less than 24 hours.\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen it is severe or lasts for a longer period, it should be evaluated by a specialist.\n\n\n\n\n

Increases in liver enzymes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nIncreases in liver enzymes, especially ALT, are noticeable in many patients. They are mild to moderate in intensity and usually reversible. They occur in 7% of patients with a standard dose.\n\n\n\n\n

Cardiac symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nSome patients may also present severe adverse effects, such as abnormalities in the QT interval.\n\n\n\n\n\nThis occurs very rarely but should be taken into account to avoid complications in patients with a cardiac history.\n\n\n\n\n

Other side effects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nOther adverse effects some patients have reported include:\n\n\n\n\n