Firmagon

Prostatic Neoplasms

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

0 Active Studies for Firmagon

What is Firmagon

Degarelix

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Degarelix is a medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It works by blocking the release of hormones in the pituitary gland that trigger testosterone production, thus reducing the amount of testosterone in the body. Chemically, it is a synthetic decapeptide amide containing seven unnatural amino acids. The FDA approved Degarelix in December 2008.

Firmagon

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Firmagon Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Firmagon

Degarelix

2009

4

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Degarelix, otherwise called Firmagon, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including Advanced Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Neoplasms .

Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostatic Neoplasms

Effectiveness

How Firmagon Affects Patients

Degarelix is a drug that blocks the release of hormones from the pituitary gland, such as luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This, in turn, reduces the amount of testosterone released by the testes. The drug works by blocking the GnRH receptor, which prevents the binding of a natural hormone called GnRH.

How Firmagon works in the body

Degarelix works by blocking receptors in the pituitary gland from releasing hormones that stimulate prostate cancer growth. By blocking these hormones, it helps to slow the growth and reduce the size of prostate cancer.

When to interrupt dosage

The quantity of Firmagon is contingent upon the recognized condition. The dosage shifts, as per the method of delivery (e.g. Powder, metered - Subcutaneous or Injection, powder, for solution - Subcutaneous) featured in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Prostatic Neoplasms

120.0 mg, , 80.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL

Powder, for solution - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, , Powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Subcutaneous, Powder, metered, Powder, metered - Subcutaneous

Warnings

Firmagon Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

risk of embryo/fetal lethality and abortion

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Firmagon.

Common Firmagon Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Hydroxyzine

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Degarelix is combined with Hydroxyzine.

Mobocertinib

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Degarelix is combined with Mobocertinib.

Ziprasidone

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Degarelix is combined with Ziprasidone.

Abexinostat

Minor

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Degarelix is combined with Abexinostat.

Aceprometazine

Minor

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Degarelix is combined with Aceprometazine.

Firmagon Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Common side effects of degarelix therapy include injection site reactions such as pain, redness, swelling, or hardness, hot flashes, weight gain, and elevated liver enzymes.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Firmagon Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Firmagon?

Currently, 3 active studies are being conducted to analyze the potential of Firmagon in treating Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Prostatic Neoplasms

0 Actively Recruiting

Firmagon Reviews: What are patients saying about Firmagon?

5

Patient Review

9/20/2019

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

PSA dropped quickly. I have been getting injections 20 months. Side effects of a few days of feeling bad some months,with chills, hot flashes, fatigue, flu like symptoms, some months,there's been none of that. I do have mood swings and of course no sex drive . These are very minimal things to have my cancer shrink.

5

Patient Review

3/31/2016

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

This treatment was great, and slightly reduced the size of my prostate. Now I'm moving on to radiation therapy, which is unfortunately necessary due to the high risk nature of my cancer.

5

Patient Review

10/11/2011

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

I am currently in my second month of treatment and I have already seen a significant reduction in my PSA levels.

4.7

Patient Review

9/15/2011

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

4.3

Patient Review

11/12/2015

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

It stung a lot when I applied it, but the pain was worth it because it really helped my acne.

3.7

Patient Review

9/12/2013

Firmagon for Advanced Form of Prostate Cancer

PSA levels decreased rapidly and have remained consistent for the past two and a half years.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about firmagon

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long can you stay on Firmagon?

"A recent study published in The Journal of Urology found that degarelix (Firmagon) is effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced prostate cancer beyond 3 years."

Answered by AI

Does Firmagon cure prostate cancer?

"The drug degarelix is not a cure for prostate cancer, however it is effective in treating the cancer by reducing the amount of testosterone in the body, which is needed for the cancer to grow and spread."

Answered by AI

What is Firmagon for prostate cancer?

"The hormone that the cancer cells need is testosterone.

Degarelix is a hormone therapy drug, also known by its brand name Firmagon, which treats advanced hormone dependent prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is considered hormone dependent when the cancer cells need a hormone, such as testosterone, to promote growth."

Answered by AI

Is Firmagon considered chemotherapy?

"Firmagon (degarelix) works by halting the production of a hormone that stimulates growth in some prostate cancers.

Firmagon (degarelix) is not classified as a chemotherapy medication because it does not work by killing fast-growing cells in the body. Instead, Firmagon (degarelix) halts the production of a hormone that stimulates growth in some prostate cancers."

Answered by AI