Degarelix - Subcutaneous

Degarelix is used to treat cancer of the prostate.

It is used for those whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Degarelix is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin) in the abdomen area.

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.

Make sure your injection site is free from any pressure (e.g. belts, waistband). Do not rub or scratch the injection site.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.

Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Degarelix.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.

Do not use Degarelix if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• congenital long QT syndrome (an inherited disease causing abnormally fast and erratic heartbeats)
• known history of QT prolongation (heart rhythm disorder)
• heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
• electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of essential minerals in the body)
• diabetes
• severe liver disease
• moderate to severe kidney disease

Degarelix is not intended for use in women.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. diagnostic tests for certain hormones), inform your doctor that you are using this medicine.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. prostate-specific antigen [a protein produced by the prostate gland] level, liver function, electrolyte level, bone density) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of allergic reactions may also be needed.

Degarelix may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, dry mouth, fever, tiredness, muscle pain, muscle spasms, joint swelling, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, itchy skin, pain and redness at the injection site, difficulty sleeping, and inability to attain or maintain erection.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, mouth or eyes
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• bone pain

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. disopyramide, amiodarone, dofetilide, ibutilide, sotalol
• medicines for mood disorders
• methadone (strong painkiller)
• moxifloxacin (antibiotic)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Degarelix.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As Degarelix is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.