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Men with advanced prostate cancer now have an additional Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment option. Degarelix is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor inhibitor that slows the growth and progression of prostate cancer by suppressing testosterone. An initial dose of 240 mg is given via two subcutaneous injections of 120 mg each. Single injection maintenance doses of 80 mg are given every day for 28 days following the initial dose. In an unusual move, the drug has been approved with only the brand name revealed. The FDA is still reviewing potential trade names for the drug.

Degarelix is different from other hormonal treatment options for prostate cancer because it does not cause an initial surge in testosterone production that can temporarily prompt tumor growth rather than inhibiting it.

Contraindications: Degarelix therapy is contraindicated for those with an allergy to the drug. Also, patients with congenital long QT syndrome, electrolyte abnormalities, or congestive heart failure, and those taking class IA (e.g., quinidine procainamide) or class III (e.g., amiodarone) antiarrhythmic drugs should not take Degarelix because long-term therapy may prolong the QT interval and increase the risk for lethal arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes.

Adverse Reactions: Side effects include injection site reactions (pain, redness, and swelling), hot flashes, increased weight, fatigue, and increases in some liver enzymes. including transaminase and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels.

Care must be taken with proper medication preparation and administration. Degarelix is for subcutaneous administration only and is not intended for intravenous or intramuscular use. It is also available in two different strengths: 120 mg and 80 mg. Carefully review the label during preparation and before administration. Because Degarelix is rated pregnancy category X, female nurses must use extreme caution not to contaminate themselves.

Caution: Review current drug information before administering and monitoring medications.

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Drug News is compiled by Susanne J. Pavlovich-Danis, RN, MSN, ARNP-C, CDE, CRRN, who maintains a private practice in Plantation, Fla., and is professor and area chair for nursing at the University of Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale.