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DGRL
Palliative
Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR). Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.
For patients with advanced prostate cancer in whom androgen deprivation is warranted*.
*Marketing approval was based on testosterone suppression to castrate levels over a 1 year treatment period.
Initial Dose
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degarelix 1 | 240 mg | Subcut | Day 1 of Month 1 |
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(give as 2 x 120 mg injections, at 40 mg/mL)
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degarelix 1 | 80 mg | Subcut | Once every month |
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(at 20 mg/mL) (1) The concentrations recommended above should be used, since the pharmacokinetics of degarelix are concentration-dependent. |
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REPEAT MONTHLY
For a total of 12 months of treatment unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated.
Dosage with toxicity
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Worst Toxicity / Counts (x 109/L) in previous cycle |
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Worst Toxicity / Counts (x 109/L) in previous cycle |
degarelix (% previous dose) |
degarelix (% previous dose) |
[Drug C] (% previous dose) |
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ANC <1.5 |
Or |
Platelet < 100 |
Hold *
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Febrile Neutropenia
Or
ANC < 0.5 for ≥ 5-7 d
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Or |
Thrombocytopenic bleeding
Or Platelets < 25 |
Hold *, then 75% |
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ANC ≥ 1.5
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And |
Platelet ≥ 100 |
100% |
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Cardiotoxicity** |
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Discontinue |
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Grade 3 related organ / non-hematologic
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*75% for suspect drug(s) |
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Grade 4 related organ / non-hematologic |
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Discontinue
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*Do not start new cycle until toxicities have recovered to ≤ grade 2, platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L, and ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L.
**including any signs and symptoms of heart failure, greater than 10% decline in LVEF to below the lower limit of normal, a greater than 20% decline in LVEF from any level, or LVEF ≤ 45%.
[degarelix]
[degarelix]
Hepatic Impairment
Although drug exposure is 10-18% lower in mild to moderate hepatic impairment, no dosage adjustment is required in these patients. Exercise caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment as no studies have been conducted in this population.
Renal Impairment
Drug clearance decreases by 23% in patients with moderate renal impairment (< 50 mL/min); however, no dosage adjustment is required in mild to moderate renal impairment. Exercise caution in patients with severe renal impairment as there is insufficient data available in this population.
Dosage in the Elderly
No dose adjustment required.
Refer to degarelix drug monograph for additional details of adverse effects.
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Common (25-49%) |
Less common (10-24%) |
Uncommon (< 10%), but may be severe or life-threatening |
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Refer to degarelix drug monograph for additional details.
- Caution is advised when administered with drugs that may prolong QT. If concomitant use is unavoidable, close monitoring for evidence of QT prolongation or other alterations of cardiac rhythm is required.
Refer to degarelix drug monograph for additional details.
Administration:
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For subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, do not inject into a vein or into muscle.
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Reconstitute using sterile water for injection (SWI) as directed in the product monograph. Reconstitution procedure may take up to 15 minutes.
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The concentrations recommended in the dosing section for starting and maintenance doses should be used, since the pharmacokinetics of degarelix are strongly concentration-dependent.
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Gloves should be worn during preparation and administration.
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Ensure injection site is free of pressure from belts, waistbands, other clothing, or ribs.
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Rotate injection site.
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Begin maintenance dose 28 days after initial loading dose.
Contraindications:
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Patients who have hypersensitivity to degarelix or to any of its excipients.
Other Warnings/Precautions:
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Fatigue and dizziness are common adverse reactions with degarelix and caution must be exercised with driving and operating machines.
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Long-term androgen deprivation prolongs the QT interval. Although a thorough QT study showed that there was no intrinsic effect of degarelix on heart rate, QT/QTc, PR intervals, QRS duration, or T or U waver morphology in healthy men, caution should be exercised in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, electrolyte abnormalities, congestive heart failure, and in patients taking antiarrhythmic medications.
Pregnancy and Lactation:
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Degarelix is contraindicated in pregnancy and in women of child-bearing potential. Adequate contraception should be used during degarelix treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose.
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Breastfeeding is not recommended since it is not known whether degarelix is secreted into breast milk.
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Degarelix has produced reversible infertility in animal studies.
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
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ECG: Baseline and as clinically indicated
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Liver function tests: Baseline and as clinically indicated
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Electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium): Baseline and as clinically indicated
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Creatinine: Baseline and as clinically indicated
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Testosterone concentrations: In patients with hepatic impairment: monthly until medical castration is achieved then every 2 months
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Blood sugar: Baseline and as clinically indicated
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Clinical toxicity assessment for local reactions, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular changes, hot flashes: at each visit
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Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version.
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Outpatient prescription; drug administration at Cancer Centre or physician's office
Degarelix Drug Monograph, Cancer Care Ontario.
Gittelman M, Pommerville PJ, Persson B-E, et al. A 1-year, open-label, randomized phase II dose finding study of degarelix for the treatment of prostate cancer in North America. J Urol 2008;180(5):1986-92.
Van Poppel H, Tombal B, de la Rosette JJ, et al. Degarelix: a novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor blocker-results from a 1-yr, multicentre, randomised, phase 2 dosage-finding study in the treatment of prostate cancer. Eur Urol 2008;54(4):805-15.
August 2018 Updated intent and adverse effects, interactions, administration/special precautions
Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph. Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
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