ABARELIX

Who is Abarelix for ?

Abarelix is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men where other options have not worked or are not suitable. Abarelix is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Abarelix suppresses certain hormones in the body called luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Suppression of these hormones reduces the release of testosterone by the testes. Through further mechanisms, testosterone causes changes in the genetic material in the cells of the prostate, which ultimately causes the cell to multiply and the tumor to grow.

When should I be careful taking Abarelix ?

Before taking abarelix,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to abarelix, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
• you should know that abarelix is not to be used in women or children.

Abarelix Side Effects

Although side effects from abarelix are not common, they can occur. Abarelix sometimes causes an allergic reaction in patients. The symptoms that can occur are hives, itching, low blood pressure, and fainting. Individuals should be monitored by a health care provider for 30 minutes after each injection of abarelix to watch for such a reaction. Tell your doctor or health care provider immediately if you experience warmth, redness, lightheadedness, or swelling or thickness of your throat. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• hot flushes
• sleep disturbance
• pain, including back pain
• breast enlargement or breast pain
• constipation