Degarelix is an engineered decapeptide drug that reversibly and intensely binds to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in the anterior pituitary area, thus decreasing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and therefore decreasing testicular androgen production.
This medicine is used to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer. This is an anti-cancer (antineoplastic) chemotherapy medicine. The drug will be injected under the skin in the abdominal area. Degarelix is a GnRH antagonist. In general, an antagonist drug blocks receptors by binding to it and neutralizing its actions.
Degarelix also has some side effects. Some of its side effects are predictable in terms of their duration, onset, and severity. Side effects can be manageable, can be lessened or can be avoided. The common side effects are increased liver enzyme levels and swelling or redness which can be seen in the injected area. Immediate medical attention is needed when there are irregular heartbeats, fainting, and difficulty in breathing. These side effects are serious yet rare.
