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Abarelix - Learn about Abarelix Side Effects and Precautions

Abarelix Information

Abarelix directly suppresses luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone secretion, thereby, Abarelix reducing the secretion of testosterone by the testes. Abarelix is used in palliative treatment of advanced symptomatic prostate cancer in men in whom luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy is not appropriate and who refuse surgical castration, and have 1 or more of the following: risk of neurological compromise caused by metastases; ureteral or bladder outlet obstruction caused by local encroachment or metastatic disease; or severe bone pain from skeletal metastases persisting on narcotic analgesia.

Interaction and Contraindication of Abarelix

Interaction of Abarelix - Class IA (eg, quinidine, procainamide), class III (eg, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents:  Because the QT interval may be prolonged by abarelix, benefits of use should outweigh risk of potential QT prolongation.
Contraindication of Abarelix - Women; pediatric patients; pregnancy; hypersensitivity to any component of the product.

Side Effects of Abarelix

Here are the list of some common side effects of Abarelix :

• Sleep disturbances (44%); dizziness, headache (12%); fatigue (10%).
• Constipation (15%); diarrhea (11%); nausea (10%).
• Breast enlargement (30%); breast pain/nipple tenderness (20%); dysuria, micturition frequency, urinary retention, UTI (10%).
• Increased serum triglycerides (10%); increased ALT (8%); increased AST (3%).
• Hot flushes (79%); pain (31%); back pain (17%); peripheral edema (15%); immediate-onset systemic allergic reactions.
  

Precaution and Warning while taking Abarelix

The precaution and warnings of Abarelix drug is as follows:

• Immediate-onset systemic allergic reactions, some resulting in hypotension and syncope, can occur. May only be prescribed by physicians who have enrolled in the Plenaxis   PLUS program.
• Advise patient that medication is not a cure for prostate cancer but is being used to provide relief of symptoms caused by the prostate cancer.
• Advise patient that allergic reactions can occur following the injection and to remain in the medical setting for at least 30 min following each injection so that a reaction can be treated if it occurs.
• Advise patient that hot flushes and sleep disturbances are the most common side effects and to inform health care provider if they occur and are intolerable or if any other side effect becomes bothersome.
• Ensure that risks and benefits of treatment with abarelix have been reviewed with the patient and that the patient has signed the Patient Information signature page before starting therapy. Place original signed form in patient's medical record and provide copy of Patient Information leaflet with signed page to patient.

How to store Abarelix

• For IM administration only. Not for intradermal, SC, or IV administration
• Dose is usually administered on days 1, 15, and 29 (wk 4) and then q 4 wk thereafter.