ADVERSE REACTIONS
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.
A total of 1325 patients with prostate cancer received FIRMAGON either as a monthly treatment (60-160 mg) or as a single dose (up to 320 mg). A total of 1032 patients (78%) were treated for at least 6 months and 853 patients (64%) were treated for one year or more. The most commonly observed adverse reactions during FIRMAGON therapy included injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, swelling, or induration), hot flashes, increased weight, fatigue, 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.
FIRMAGON was studied in an active-controlled trial (N = 610) in which patients with prostate cancer were randomized to receive FIRMAGON (subcutaneous) or leuprolide (intramuscular) monthly for 12 months. Adverse reactions reported in 5% of patients or more are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients in an Active Controlled Study
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FIRMAGON 240/160 mg (subcutaneous) N = 202 |
FIRMAGON 240/80 mg (subcutaneous) N = 207 |
Leuprolide 7.5 mg (intramuscular) N = 201 |
Percentage of subjects with adverse events |
83% |
79% |
78% |
Body as a whole
|
|
|
|
Injection site adverse events |
44% |
35% |
<1% |
Weight increase |
11% |
9% |
12% |
Fatigue |
6% |
3% |
6% |
Chills |
4% |
5% |
0% |
Cardiovascular system
|
|
|
|
Hot flash |
26% |
26% |
21% |
Hypertension |
7% |
6% |
4% |
Musculoskeletal system
|
|
|
|
Back pain |
6% |
6% |
8% |
Arthralgia |
4% |
5% |
9% |
Urogenital system
|
|
|
|
Urinary tract infection |
2% |
5% |
9% |
Digestive system
|
|
|
|
Increases in Transaminases and GGT |
10% |
10% |
5% |
Constipation |
3% |
5% |
5% |
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 degarelix.
Hepatic laboratory abnormalities were primarily Grade 1 or 2 and were generally reversible. Grade 3 hepatic laboratory abnormalities occurred in less than 1% of patients.
In 1-5% of patients the following adverse reactions, not already listed, were considered related to FIRMAGON by the investigator:
Body as a whole: Asthenia, fever, night sweats; Digestive system: Nausea; Nervous system: Dizziness, headache, insomnia.
The following adverse reactions, not already listed, were reported to be drug-related by the investigator in ≥1% of patients: erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, hyperhidrosis, testicular atrophy, and diarrhea.
Changes in bone density: Decreased bone density has been reported in the medical literature in men who have had orchiectomy or who have been treated with a GnRH agonist. It can be anticipated that long periods of medical castration in men will result in decreased bone density.
Anti-degarelix antibody development has been observed in 10% of patients after treatment with FIRMAGON for 1 year. There is no indication that the efficacy or safety of FIRMAGON treatment is affected by antibody formation.
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