Advanced prostate cancer's newest FDA approved treatment is an oral (taken by mouth) drug called Orgovyx (relugolix). Like the more commonly known injection, Firmagon (degarelix) is an LHRH antagonist hormone treatment (ADT) that quickly reduces testosterone levels produced by the body.
Orgovyx was approved based on data generated from the HERO trial. HERO was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group study evaluating relugolix against a leuprolide 3-month injection (Lupron) in men with advanced prostate cancer.
HERO demonstrated that Orgovyx was superior to Lupron in maintaining castration from day 29 up to week 48. Orgovyx also showed an almost a five-fold reduction in the risk of subsequent major cardiac events, a concern for men on Lupron.
Orgovyx has a half-life of 25 hours, so if you are taking it, you need to be careful that you take the pill about the same time every day. Orgovyx can be taken with or without food; what is essential is that it be taken every day at the same time of day. If you miss a dose at your regular time and it is still within 12 hours, you should take the pill. After 12 hours, you should skip that day's medication.
Like all other drugs, Orgovyx can cause side effects, some more serious than others.
A serious side effect of Orgovyx includes changes in the electrical activity of your heart (QT prolongation). Symptoms of QT prolongation need to be reported immediately and should consist of a trip to the emergency room. Signs of QT prolongation include:
DIZZINESS
FAINTING
FEELING YOUR HEART IS POUNDING OR RACING (PALPITATIONS)
CHEST PAINS
Ask your doctor if it is necessary to check your body salts (electrolytes) and the electrical activity of your heart during treatment with ORGOVYX.
The most common side effects of ORGOVYX include:
hot flushes (flashes) (54%)
increased blood sugar (glucose) levels (44%)
increased blood fat (triglyceride) levels (35%)
muscle and joint pain (30%)
decreased blood hemoglobin levels (28%)
increased liver enzymes (27%)
feeling tired (fatigue) (26%)
constipation (12%)
diarrhea (12%)
