How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Elagolix belongs to the class of medications known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists. It is used to treat the moderate-to-severe pain that occurs with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue that normally forms the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. These tissues go through the same changes during the menstrual cycle as the tissue in the uterus. These changes are caused by the hormone estrogen. Elagolix works by blocking the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn, reduces the amount of estrogen produced by the body.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
150 mg
Each light pink, oblong tablet, debossed with EL 150 on one side, contains 155.2 mg of elagolix sodium, equivalent to 150 mg elagolix. Nonmedicinal ingredients: armine high tint, magnesium stearate, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium carbonate monohydrate, talc, and titanium dioxide.
200 mg
Each light orange, oblong tablet, debossed with EL 200 on one side, contains 207 mg of elagolix sodium, equivalent to 200 mg elagolix. Nonmedicinal ingredients: iron oxide red, magnesium stearate, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium carbonate monohydrate, talc, and titanium dioxide.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose of elagolix is either 150 mg taken by mouth once a day or 200 mg taken by mouth two times a day. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you based on the severity of your endometriosis symptoms. Elagolix may be taken with food or on an empty stomach and should be taken at the same time every day.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to elagolix or any ingredients of the medication
- are or may become pregnant
- have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- have osteoporosis
- have severely decreased liver function
- are taking certain medications such as cyclosporine or gemfibrozil
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- constipation
- decreased interest in sexual activity
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- hot flashes
- joint pain
- nausea
- night sweats
- stomach pain
- trouble sleeping
- weight gain
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- anxiety
- increased frequency of cold symptoms (e.g., runny or stuffy nose, sore throat)
- irritability
- menstrual changes (e.g., irregular bleeding, change in bleeding, no bleeding)
- mood changes
- signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
- signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
- sinus infections
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Birth control: It is possible to become pregnant while taking elagolix. Women taking this medication should use effective methods of birth control that do not contain estrogen while taking elagolix and for at least 1 week after the last dose.
Bone health: This medication can cause a decrease in the density of bones. Higher doses taken for longer periods of time increase the amount of bone lost. The lowest dose of this medication to control the symptoms, taken for the shortest period of time, is less likely to cause these problems. If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, such as previous use of other medications that decrease bone density, metabolic bone disease, anorexia, long term use of alcohol or tobacco, or family history of osteoporosis, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is needed.
Depression and suicidal behaviour: This medication can cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. People taking this medication may feel agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves), or they may want to hurt themselves or others. Symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, and decreased interest in activities may also occur. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor should closely monitor your emotional and behavioural changes while taking this medication.
If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. Elagolix may also reduce liver function and can cause liver damage. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: The use of elagolix may cause miscarriage or other complications if it is taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if elagolix passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
Seniors: Elagolix has not been studied in women over 65 years of age. It is not intended for use by women who have reached menopause.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Orilissa
