Degatide 80mg injection contains the active ingredient degarelix. It is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate (a gland in males that produces seminal fluid). Cancer is a disorder in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled and abnormal manner. 

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience dizziness, fever, or infection. During this treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, electrolytes, heart, liver, and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. Report to your doctor if you have been diagnosed with problems in your heart, liver, or kidneys. Patients with severe liver and kidney impairment should exercise caution while using this medicine. This medicine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this drug or to any of the product components.

Degatide 80mg injection has the potential to impair the fertility of males and females of reproductive potential. This injection is not recommended during pregnancy due to its ability to harm the foetus and cause miscarriage. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor for more advice. Possible side effects related to therapy include redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site. These are usually mild, self-limiting, and decrease within three days.

• Advanced prostate cancer

Degarelix directly blocks the effects of a natural hormone (gonadotropin-releasing hormone, GnRH), reduces the level of the male hormone testosterone, and slows down the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Degatide 80mg injection and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. 

• Store Degatide 80mg injection in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
• Do not freeze.
• Keep it out of reach from children and pets.

Degatide 80mg injection is available as a prefilled syringe and solution for injection. Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection into the fatty tissues just under your skin (subcutaneously). The dose, route of administration, and frequency will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. 

Common

• Hot flashes
• Injection site reactions (redness and pain)
• Fever, chills
• Headache, dizziness
• Trouble sleeping
• Tiredness
• Nausea, diarrhea
• Increased weight
• Excessive sweating (including night sweats)
• Anemia
• Muscle pain and discomfort
• Breast swelling, reduced size of testicles
• Decreased sex drive

Degatide 80mg injection can cause hot flashes, hence it is advised to wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid discomfort. Eat a well-balanced diet. If you feel dizzy or tired, avoid driving or handling machines. Do not touch or rub your skin after injecting this medicine.

1. Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on Dec 2019] [ Accessed on 23rd March 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6537.pdf
2. Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Feb 2015] [ Accessed on 23rd March 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/022201s009lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Natural products in cancer chemotherapy: Hormones and related agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1764.
4. Claudine Isaacs, Anton Wellstein, and Anna T. Riegel, Hormones and Related Agents in the Therapy of Cancer, Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Edition, 2018, 1237-1247.