Degarelix

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Indications 3 Adverse-effects 4 Mechanism-of-action 5 Notes 6 More General Terms 7 Internet Database 8 References

Introduction

• FDA approved December 2008

Indications

• treatment of advanced prostate cancer

Adverse-effects

• minimal to no initial surge in testosterone production
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, & swelling)
• hot flashes, increased weight, fatigue
• increases in serum ALT, serum AST
• prolongation of the QT interval [2]
  
• drug adverse effects of GnRH agonists

Mechanism-of-action

• GnRH analog
• dminishes testosterone secretion by down-regulating GnRH receptors
• down-regulating GnRH receptors diminishes LH & FSH release from the anterior pituitary via negative feed-back (loss of pulsatility)
• diminished LH slows growth & progression of prostate cancer by suppressing testosterone secretion by Leydig cells of the testes

Notes

• manufactured for Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., Parsippany, N.J., by Rentschler Biotechnologie Gmbh, Laupheim, Germany

More General Terms

• gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH analog)
• antineoplastic agent (chemotherapeutic agent)

Internet Database

PubChem: 16186010

References

1. FDA News release [1]
2. Geriatrics at your Fingertips, 13th edition, 2011 Reuben DB et al (eds) American Geriatric Society

degarelix (Firmagon)