Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, swelling or induration), hot flashes, and increases in serum levels of transaminases and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ferring at 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
FIRMAGON was studied in a randomized, open-label trial in which patients with prostate cancer were randomized to receive FIRMAGON (subcutaneous) or leuprolide (intramuscular) monthly for 12 months [see Clinical Studies (14) ] .
The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) during FIRMAGON therapy are injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, swelling or induration), hot flashes, and increases in serum levels of transaminases and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT).
The majority of the adverse reactions were Grade 1 or 2, with Grade 3/4 adverse reaction incidences of 1% or less.
Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 5% of patients treated with FIRMAGON (subcutaneous) 240 mg starting dose and then 80 mg maintenance dose once every 28 days or who were treated with 7.5 mg of leuprolide (intramuscular) every 28 days are shown in Table
Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients FIRMAGON 240/80 mg (subcutaneous) N = 207 Leuprolide 7.5 mg (intramuscular) N = 201 Any adverse reaction 79% 78% Body as a whole Injection site reactions Includes pain, erythema, swelling, induration, or nodule.
35% <1% Weight increase 9% 12% Chills 5% 0% Cardiovascular system Hot flash 26% 21% Hypertension 6% 4% Digestive system Increases in Transaminases and GGT 10% 5% Constipation 5% 5% Musculoskeletal system Back pain 6% 8% Arthralgia 5% 9% Urogenital system Urinary tract infection 5% 9% The following adverse reactions occurred in 1 to < 5% of patients treated with FIRMAGON: Body as a whole: Asthenia, fatigue, fever, night sweats Digestive system: Nausea Nervous system: Dizziness, headache, insomnia The following adverse reactions, not already listed, occurred in ≥ 1% of patients treated in any study with FIRMAGON: Reproductive System: Erectile dysfunction, testicular atrophy Endocrine Disorders: Gynecomastia General : Hyperhidrosis Gastrointestinal : Diarrhea Injection Site Reactions The most frequently reported adverse reactions at the injection sites were pain (28%), erythema (17%), swelling (6%), induration (4%) and nodule (3%).
These adverse reactions were mostly transient, of mild to moderate intensity, occurred primarily with the starting dose and led to few discontinuations (<1%).
Grade 3 injection site reactions occurred in 2% or less of patients receiving FIRMAGON.
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, urticaria and angioedema have been reported.
Discontinue FIRMAGON if a severe hypersensitivity reaction occurs and manage as clinically indicated ( 5.1 ) QT Interval Prolongation: Androgen deprivation therapy treatment with FIRMAGON may prolong the QT interval.
( 5.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: FIRMAGON can cause fetal harm.
( 5.4 , 8.1 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions FIRMAGON is contraindicated in patients with history of severe hypersensitivity to degarelix or to any of the product components [see Contraindications (4) ].
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, urticaria and angioedema, have been reported post-marketing with FIRMAGON.
Like all medications, Firmagon can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: