MARK: Advanced prostate cancer doesn't know who I am. It had no idea how strong I was. That no matter how much it would change me, it wouldn't own me. It didn't know I would become a fighter. I have been a fighter all my life through various types of adversities. Now I'm up against the biggest fight of my life. My name is Mark. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the early 60s and 70s. It was a time when it was very easy to be a kid. I wrestled and then I played football. And they both taught me something a little different...taught me there's always someone there to knock you down. But knowing this makes you better. It makes you stronger. It teaches you to get right back up. And my wonderful wife is another fighter. I met Andrea in college.
ANDREA: I know what you're thinking—we probably met in class. But no, we met in a nightclub. A very handsome man walked in. It was Mark. Love at first sight.
MARK: She was everything I was looking for: brown hair, brown eyes, Italian girl. We've had such a wonderful life together. But we both had to become stronger when cancer arrived in my 60s. I had a biopsy, and the results revealed advanced prostate cancer. I discussed different hormone therapy treatments with my doctor, and I learned there was a pill option—ORGOVYX.
VOICEOVER: What is ORGOVYX?
ORGOVYX (relugolix) is a prescription medicine used in adults for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is not known if ORGOVYX is safe or effective in females or children.
Do not take ORGOVYX if you have had a severe allergic reaction to relugolix or any of the ingredients in ORGOVYX.
Please listen to the additional Important Safety Information within this video.
MARK: This was the right choice for me as it would fit into my daily life. My doctor discussed with me the possibility of a serious side effect called long QT syndrome, a change in the electrical activity of the heart, as well as the most common side effects with ORGOVYX.
ANDREA: I do think Mark is a fighter and he often says, this is not going to get me.
These days, Mark and I encourage each other to stay active. We find ourselves spending more time with close family and friends.
MARK: We have taken time to enjoy the finer things, the things that just bring us closer together and enjoy each other's company. We enjoy walks in the park, looking at nature, and just laughing and talking about past experiences and our children growing up. Like I said, advanced prostate cancer will never own me. Because I'm a fighter. We're both fighters.
VOICEOVER: Important Safety Information, continued: What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ORGOVYX?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have any heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ORGOVYX can harm your unborn baby and cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
- Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
- Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ORGOVYX and for 2 weeks after the last dose of ORGOVYX.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ORGOVYX passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines or treatments you receive, including: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking ORGOVYX with certain other medicines can affect how ORGOVYX works or may cause side effects.
You should not start or stop any medicine before you talk with your healthcare provider who prescribed ORGOVYX.
What are the possible side effects of ORGOVYX?
Serious side effects of ORGOVYX include:
- Changes in the electrical activity of your heart (QT prolongation). Your healthcare provider may check your body salts (electrolytes) and the electrical activity of your heart during treatment with ORGOVYX. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs or symptoms of QT prolongation, including:
- dizziness
- fainting
- feeling that your heart is pounding or racing (palpitations)
- chest pain
- Allergic reactions. Stop taking ORGOVYX and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you get any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, including:
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, or trouble swallowing
- trouble breathing
- hives (raised bumps), rash, or redness all over your body
Most common side effects of ORGOVYX include:
- hot flushes
- increased blood sugar levels
- increased blood fat (triglyceride) levels
- muscle and joint pain
- decreased blood hemoglobin levels
- increased liver enzymes
- tiredness
- constipation
- diarrhea
ORGOVYX may cause other side effects including weight gain, decreased sex drive, and erectile function problems.
ORGOVYX may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect your ability to father children. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all the possible side effects of ORGOVYX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects or if you have a side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
You may report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Product Information, via the link provided.