degarelix acetate at a glance
Medicine class
GnRH antagonist used for androgen-deprivation therapy
Administration
Injected deeply under the skin of the abdomen by a healthcare professional
Key practical point
Injection sites should be varied and kept away from waistbands, belts and ribs
What is degarelix acetate used for?
Licensed uses in adult men include:
Advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer
High-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer with radiotherapy
Treatment before radiotherapy for high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer
How does degarelix acetate work?
Degarelix blocks GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. This reduces luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone release, rapidly lowering testicular testosterone without the initial testosterone surge associated with GnRH agonists.
degarelix acetate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 80 mg, 120 mg
How to take degarelix acetate
A healthcare professional reconstitutes the powder with the supplied solvent and gives it as a deep subcutaneous injection into the abdomen. It must not be injected into a vein; intramuscular administration is not recommended.
The injection site should be changed periodically.
Avoid areas exposed to pressure from clothing, belts or the ribs.
Food does not affect administration because degarelix is injected rather than swallowed.
degarelix acetate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hot flushes
- Pain, redness, swelling, hardness or a lump at the injection site
- Weight gain
- Tiredness, dizziness or headache
- Chills, fever or influenza-like symptoms after injection
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Increased sweating, including night sweats
- Muscle, joint or bone discomfort
- Anaemia or increased liver enzymes
- Erectile dysfunction, testicular shrinkage or breast swelling
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling
- Heart-rhythm disturbance, especially palpitations with dizziness or fainting
- Chest pain or symptoms suggesting a heart attack or heart failure
- Severe injection-site infection, abscess or tissue damage
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
degarelix acetate in pregnancy
Degarelix acetate has no relevant licensed indication in women. If exposure occurs during pregnancy, obtain specialist or prescriber advice because it is not intended for use in pregnancy.
degarelix acetate while breastfeeding
Degarelix acetate has no relevant licensed indication in women and is not intended for use while breastfeeding. Discuss any unexpected exposure with a specialist or prescriber.
degarelix acetate interactions
Formal interaction studies are limited. The main recognised concern is combining androgen deprivation with medicines that can prolong the QT interval.
Class IA antiarrhythmics, including quinidine or disopyramide
Combined use may increase the risk of serious heart-rhythm disturbance and requires careful clinical review.
Class III antiarrhythmics, including amiodarone or sotalol
Combined QT-prolonging effects may increase arrhythmia risk.
Methadone
May add to QT prolongation and should prompt assessment of cardiac risk.
Common questions about degarelix acetate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is degarelix acetate chemotherapy?
No. It is hormone therapy—a GnRH antagonist—that reduces testosterone rather than directly killing rapidly dividing cells.
Does degarelix acetate cause a testosterone flare?
It does not normally produce the initial testosterone surge associated with GnRH agonists.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.