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Abarelix
Brand Name: Phenaxis/Praecis
What is it?
Abarelix is a drug intended for men, not for women. Abarelix is also not used in children. It is a medication called gonadotropin-releasing hormone. It is used to lower the male hormone testosterone in your blood. Abarelix is used as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Testosterone makes prostate cancer grow. Abarelix is currently used when a patient has tried other ways to treat his prostate cancer, and has not found any success with those treatments. Abarelix is also currently being tested for use in breast cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids, although those trials are in their early stages.
How to take it?
Abarelix must be recommended by a qualified doctor. It is given by injection into the muscle. It is usually injected into the buttocks of the individual. A qualified individual will give you the injection. You should always keep your doctor’s appointments and get your injections when they are due. It is important to keep your appointments and keep up your treatments. An individual must wait in the doctor’s office at least thirty minutes after getting the injection. A patient is given 100 mg in the muscle usually every four weeks. If the treatment is not working a doctor will be able to see that by testing the levels of testosterone in the patients system and verifying prior testosterone levels. Prolonged usage can also make the drug less effective in the long run.
Warnings and Precautions
You should always see your doctor on a regular basis. Your doctor will need to conduct regular blood tests every eight weeks, so that the individual’s testosterone level to see if it is working correctly. If an individual weighs more than two hundred and twenty-five pounds there could be a chance that it does not work. Test results will have to be conducted to check your liver functions. You should also tell your doctor if you have irregular heartbeats, or osteoporosis. This medication can cause a loss in bone density with long term usage. This can lead to osteoporosis, which is why a doctor will perform a bone density test to check the levels.
They are certain medications that your not take with Abarelix. If you are taking any of the following medications, you should tell your doctor. These drugs include, arsenic trioxide, bepridil, certain types of antibiotics, certain medications used to treat depression, droperidol, herbal or dietary supplements, male hormones, female hormones, palonsetron, probucol, terfenadine, cisapride and certain medications used to control heart functions.
You should also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, or ingredients that are contained in Abarelix.
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not be anywhere in contact with this medication, as it can cause birth defects in an unborn child.
What should you do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose you need to contact your doctor immediately. It is important to use Abarelic injections regularly to provide the most benefit.
What are the side effects?
Abarelix can cause many side effects that are common such as: nausea, redness or irritation of the injection site, muscle, join and bone pain, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, problems sleeping, headaches, difficult passing urine, loss of voice, sore throat, sweating, runny nose, nipple enlargement, ear congestion, sneezing, bloody urine and impotence. They may be other side effects and symptoms that an individual patient may experience, so if you experience any changes in your health after taking the medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Abarelix can cause more serious side effects that you should seek a doctor right away these include: chest pain, vomiting, problems breathing, changes in the beating of your heart, itching skin and rash, fever, sore throat, stomach pains and yellowing of the skin.
How to store this medication?
An individual will not be responsible for the storage of this medication. This medication stays in the doctor’s office, so the individual does not have to worry about home storage.
What does it look like?
Abarelix medication only comes in injectable form.
What if you overdose?
An overdose of Abarelix is unlikely, since your doctor has to administer the injection to the individual.
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