What condition does Elagolix treat?
Elagolix is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain. This is usually used by women with a condition called endometriosis. It is a kind of condition that is often painful in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus. It most commonly involves your ovaries, the tissue lining your pelvis, and fallopian tubes. This condition may cause symptoms such as:
- Infertility
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful, heavy, or irregular menstrual periods
In the year 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medication. This is available as tablets for oral use.
How does Elagolix work?
Elagolix is an orally administered and non-peptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist. It inhibits endogenous GnRH signaling by binding competitively to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Administration of this drug results in dose-dependent suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH). It also results in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It leads to decreased blood concentrations of the ovarian sex hormones, progesterone, and estradiol.
What is the recommended dosage for Elagolix?
This medication is usually taken once or twice a day. Take it by mouth with or without food or as directed by your doctor.
The dosage and length of treatment are based on your condition, response, and other drugs you may be taking. This medication is usually taken for up to 6 months or up to 24 months.
Use this regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication it may worsen your condition.
What are the side effects of Elagolix?
- Hot flushes or night sweats
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Missed menstrual periods
- Joint pain
What are the precautions in taking Elagolix?
- This is not recommended for use during pregnancy. This may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, tell your doctor right away.
- It is unknown if it passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor first before breastfeeding.
- Do not share this with others who have the same symptoms as yours.
- Tell also your doctor about the medical history you have especially of liver problems or osteoporosis.
- Keep this in a dry and clean place to avoid contaminations.
- Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take this medication.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anxiety, depression, broken bones, thoughts about or attempted suicide or unusual changes in behavior or mood.
- You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal while you are taking this medicine. Your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms: anxiety, depression, withdrawing from friends and family, talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life, or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Make sure that your caregiver knows which symptoms may be severe so they could call the doctor if you are not capable to search for treatment on your own.
