FIRMAGON® (degarelix)
Information in this fact sheet is meant to assist you in making decisions about your treatment. Always make medication decisions in consultation with your healthcare team.
What is Firmagon® used for?
Firmagon® contains degarelix. Degarelix is a synthetic hormone that reduces the level of the male hormone, testosterone.
Firmagon® is used to treat locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer and may slow or stop the growth of cancer.
Firmagon® should only be taken by men. It should not be taken by women or children.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Firmagon® has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed Firmagon® for another reason.
Firmagon® is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription and can only be given by a doctor or a nurse.
What does Firmagon® look like?
Firmagon® is a white to off-white powder before it is mixed and dissolved for injection.
- Starter dose – 1 pack contains:
- 2 vials with 120mg powder and 2 vials with solvent (sterile water), 4 vial adapters, 2 syringes and 2 injection needles.
- Maintenance dose – 1 pack contains:
- 1 vial with 80mg powder and 1 vial with solvent (sterile water), 2 vial adapters, 1 syringe and 1 injection needle.
How is Firmagon® given?
Firmagon® is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously), usually near your stomach. The site of injection is likely to vary.
Firmagon® is usually given every month. Always remind your doctor or nurse to set up an appointment for your next injection.
What are the common side effects?
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Firmagon®.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Side effects may happen at the start of treatment or they may happen after you have been taking your medicine for some time. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you get any side effects, do not stop taking Firmagon® without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you.
These are the more common side effects of Firmagon® that are mostly mild and short-lived:
- hot flushes
- injection site pain and redness
- trouble sleeping
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- constipation
- night sweats
- chills
- fever
- weakness
- tiredness
- increased weight
- erection problems
- loss of libido.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may happen in some people. Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.
References
Disclaimer
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia develops materials based on best available evidence and takes advice from recognised experts in the field in developing such resource; however it cannot guarantee and assumes no legal responsibility for the currency or completeness of the information.
