Abarelix Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Pronunciation: (a BAR eh lix)

Generic name(s): Abarelix

Brand Names: Plenaxis

Abarelix ( a-ba-REL-iks) is a type of medicine called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that lowers the male hormone testosterone in your blood. Abarelix is chemically described as acetyl-D-ß-naphthylalanyl- D-4-chlorophenylalanyl-D-3-pyridylalanyl-L-seryl-L- N-methyl-tyrosyl-D-asparagyl-L-leucyl-L-N(e )-isopropyl-lysyl-L-prolyl-D-alanyl-amide. Abarelix is the latest drug for suppression of testosterone production in men with prostate cancer. It is used in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Abarelix is highly bound to plasma proteins (96-99%) and shows an apparent volume of distribution of over 4000 L, suggesting extensive distribution throughout the body. Generic abarelix injection is not available.

Abarelix Dosage:

• The recommended dose of PlenaxisT is 100 mg administered intramuscularly to the buttock on Day 1, 15, 29 (week 4) and every 4 weeks thereafter.
• Abarelix is usually given every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses, then once every 4 weeks thereafter, or as directed by your doctor.

Uses of Abarelix:

• Abarelix is only used for treating advanced symptomatic prostate cancer when a patient cannot have or refuses other treatments for prostate cancer.
• Plenaxis (abarelix) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
• Plenaxis (abarelix) reduces the amount of testosterone produced in the body.

Side Effects of Abarelix:

The following side effects of Abarelix may includes:

• Hot flushes.
• Trouble in breathing..
• Sleep Disturbance.
• Fast or irregular breathing.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling of eyes or eyelids.
• Fatigue.
• Tightness in chest and/or wheezing.
• Back pain.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Hemophilia.
• An unusual reaction to Abarelix, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Warning and precautions before taking Abarelix:

• It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits.
• Patients should be monitored for at least 30 minutes after each injection of PlenaxisT.
• Your doctor will also want to do regular blood tests about every 8 weeks to check your testosterone level to see if abarelix is working for you.
• Before using abarelix, tell your doctor if you
  • have irregular heartbeats;
  • have osteoporosis; or
  • weigh more than 225 pounds.
• Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Drug Interaction:

• No formal drug/drug interaction studies with PlenaxisT were performed.
• Cytochrome P-450 is not known to be involved in the metabolism of PlenaxisT. PlenaxisT is highly bound to plasma proteins (96 to 99%).

Overdosage:

• An overdose of Plenaxis (abarelix) is unlikely to occur. The maximum tolerated dose of PlenaxisT has not been determined.
• The maximum dose used in clinical studies was 150 mg.
• If you do suspect that an overdose has occurred, contact your doctor, hospital emergency room, or poison control center for advice.