Firmagon

(degarelix)

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Treats advanced prostate cancer.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Firmagon (degarelix) can be used to treat advanced prostate cancer without the flares that can happen with other medicines.

Quick facts about Firmagon
  • Drug class: Men's health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Upsides

  • Firmagon (degarelix) is given once a month.
  • Unlike Lupron-depot, Firmagon (degarelix) doesn’t cause your testosterone levels to rise initially.
  • Firmagon (degarelix) is approved for all stages of advanced prostate cancer.
  • Firmagon (degarelix) starts working rather quickly. About 96% of patients reach their testosterone goal within 3 days.
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What to expect from Firmagon, on one page

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Downsides

  • Firmagon (degarelix) only comes as an injection, not a pill.
  • It’s only available as a brand name medicine, so you might have a higher copay.
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What to expect from Firmagon, on one page

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How it works

Firmagon (degarelix) lowers testosterone in your body. High levels of testosterone can cause prostate cancers to grow.

Quick facts about Firmagon
  • Drug class: Men's health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Used for

  • Advanced prostate cancer

Dosage forms

  • Injection
Tried Firmagon? Write a review!

What to expect when you take Firmagon (degarelix) for Advanced prostate cancer

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Hot flashes
  • Injection site reactions
  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness
  • Chills
  • Constipation
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Side effect rates for Firmagon (degarelix)

From 207 clinical trials of Firmagon when taken for advanced prostate cancer (firmagon 240/80 mg subq)
  • Injection site reactions
    35%35%
  • Hot flashes
    26%26%
  • Higher liver enzymes
    10%10%
  • Weight gain
    9%9%
  • High blood pressure
    6%6%
  • Back pain
    6%6%
  • Chills
    5%5%
  • Joint pain
    5%5%
  • Urinary tract infection
    5%5%
  • Constipation
    5%5%
  • Tiredness
    3%3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Firmagon.

Firmagon (degarelix)
Placebo

People taking Firmagon felt side effect more

People taking Firmagon felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Firmagon (degarelix)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Taking medications to control your heart rhythm

    If you're taking medications to control your heart rhythm, taking Firmagon (degarelix) can make the rhythm worse. Talk to your doctor to see if you need to change your medicines.