Abarelix

Brand Names: Plenaxis

Why is Abarelix Prescribed?

Abarelix suppresses luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion, thereby reducing the secretion of testosterone by the testes. Abarelix is used in the treatment of advanced symptomatic prostate cancer in men in whom luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone agonist therapy is not appropriate and who refuse surgical castration.

How should Abarelix  be used?

Plenaxis Injectable Suspension contains 113 mg of gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. It is injected intramuscularly, reaching a peak plasma concentration of 40.0 mg/ml three days after injection.

This medication is given by injection into your buttock muscle (intramuscularly-IM) by a healthcare professional. It should be mixed in the proper solution provided in the package. Abarelix is usually given every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses, then once every 4 weeks thereafter, or as directed by your doctor.

Other uses of Abarelix

An extended release form of the GnRH antagonist abarelix (Plenaxis) is approved for treating prostate cancer. Because abarelix does not transiently increase sex steroid production, this preparation may be especially useful in prostate cancer patients in whom any stimulus to tumor growth might have serious adverse consequences, such as patients with spinal cord metastases in whom increased tumor growth could cause paralysis.

Abarelix and Special Precaution

The maximum tolerated dose of abarelix has not been determined. The maximum dose used in clinical studies was 150 mg. There have been no reports of accidental overdose with abarelix.

Side effects of Abarelix

Only singlr study performed which shows following side effects with reducing frequency: Hot flushes, Sleep disturbance, Pain, Breast Enlargement, Breast pain/nipple tenderness, Constipation,Dizziness,Headache