relugolix
Pronunciation:
REL-ue-GOE-lix
Other Name(s):
Orgovyx®
Appearance:
tablet
This handout gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
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who to contact for help
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what the medication is
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how it is given
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what to expect while on medication
This handout was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
My cancer health care provider is: _____________________________________________
During the day I should contact: _______________________________________________
Evenings, weekends and holidays: _____________________________________________
This page gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
-
who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on this medication
This information was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
Relugolix is used to treat a type of prostate cancer.
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
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kidney, liver, thyroid problems
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heart problems (including irregular heartbeat)
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abnormal levels of electrolytes (such as potassium, calcium or magnesium)
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bone problems such as thinning of bones (osteoporosis) or any conditions that affect bone strength
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any allergies.
Remember To:
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Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
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Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
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This medication is usually taken once a day by mouth. Talk to your health care team about how and when to take your medication.
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Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water, with or without food.
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If you forget to take a dose of your relugolix:
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If it has been less than 12 hours from the missed dose, take the dose as usual. Then take your next dose at the normal scheduled time.
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If it has been longer than 12 hours, do not take the dose. Take your next dose at the normal scheduled time. Do not take extra (double up) to make up for the missed dose.
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If your treatment is stopped for over 7 days, talk to your health care team about how to restart your medication.
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If you vomit (throw up) after taking your medication, talk to your health care team about what to do.
Warning: If you take too much of this medication by accident, or if you think a child or a pet may have swallowed your medication, you must call the Ontario Poison Control Center right away at: 1-800-268-9017.
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO NOT take any other medications, such as vitamins, over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs, or natural health products without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT start any complementary or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic medications, without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT use tobacco products (such as smoking cigarettes or vaping) or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO NOT take any other medications, such as vitamins, over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs, or natural health products without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT start any complementary or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic medications, without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT use tobacco products (such as smoking cigarettes or vaping) or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
Yes, this medication can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products. Interactions can make this medication not work as well or cause severe side effects.
Tell your health care team about all of your:
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prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)
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natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements
Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or Aspirin®.
- Over-the-counter products such as dimenhydrinate (Gravol®)
- Natural health products such as St. John’s Wort
- Supplements such as vitamin C
- Grapefruit juice
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tobacco
- All other drugs, such as marijuana or cannabis (medical or recreational)
Talk to your health care team about:
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How this treatment may affect your sexual health
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How this treatment may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
This treatment may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or is breastfeeding.
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If there is any chance of pregnancy happening, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 2 weeks after your last treatment dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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Keep relugolix tablets in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light.
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Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused relugolix tablets at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
If you are a patient:
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Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.
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Swallow each pill whole. Do not crush or chew your pills.
If you are a caregiver:
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Wash your hands before and after touching the oral anti-cancer medication.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there is a chance you or your partner may become pregnant:
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Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
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Wash your hands before putting on your gloves and after taking them off, even if your skin did not touch the oral anti-cancer medication.
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Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
If medication gets on your skin:
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Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water.
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If your skin gets red or irritated, talk to your health care team.
If medication gets in your eyes:
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Rinse your eyes with running water right away. Keep water flowing over your open eyes for at least 15 minutes.
The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting relugolix. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.
Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on relugolix.
| Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Hot flashes (feeling or wave of warmth) What to look for?
To help prevent hot flashes :
If you have hot flashes :
Hot flashes may improve over time. Talk to your health care team if they bother you. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
| Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
|
Fatigue What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
| Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Constipation What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent constipation:
To help treat constipation:
Ask your health care team for the Constipation Pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
|
Diarrhea What to look for?
If you have diarrhea:
Ask your health care team for the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if no improvement after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if severe (more than 7 times in one day). |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible with this treatment.
If you have any of the following, talk to your cancer health care team or get emergency medical help right away:
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Irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, pain in your belly or arm or fainting spells
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Feeling confused and have a sudden loss of vision or trouble speaking or using your arms or legs
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Severe or unusual bone pain especially in your back, hips and wrist
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Bleeding from your gums, unusual nosebleeds, bruising easily or more than normal, or blood in your urine (pee) or stools (poo)
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Bleeding that does not stop or is severe (very heavy)
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Swelling in your hands/ ankles/ feet/ other areas of your body, pain in your lower back, changes in urination (peeing) such as less urine than usual, and/or confusion
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Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
For more information on how to manage your symptoms ask your health care provider, or visit: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
April 2025 New drug information sheet
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace 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.