What is ADT

ADT=androgen
deprivation therapy.
Actor
portrayals.

Learning you have advanced prostate cancer can bring a lot of information all at once. There may be new terms to learn, treatment options to discuss with a doctor, and questions about what this diagnosis may mean for the future. It's a lot to take in.

Below is some key information about treatment for advanced prostate cancer.

Man sitting on a bench.Actor portrayal.

How is advanced prostate cancer treated?

There are different ways to treat advanced prostate cancer. One common way is through hormone therapy. This treatment helps lower the amount of testosterone because most prostate cancers need testosterone to grow.

Your doctor may talk about a kind of hormone therapy called androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of ADTs.

ADTs work in different ways to lower testosterone

There are different types of ADTs, including injections and pills. Your doctor can help decide which may be right for you.

Two types of ADT:

GnRH Antagonist

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist

GnRH antagonists, like ORGOVYX, block certain hormone receptors in the brain to help lower testosterone levels.

GnRH (LHRH) Agonist

GnRH agonist, also called luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist

GnRH (LHRH) agonists activate certain hormone receptors in the brain, which raises testosterone levels temporarily before helping to lower them, as you can see in the chart below.
This temporary rise in testosterone is called a "flare". Your doctor may prescribe other treatments to help manage it.

Effects of two types of ADT on testosterone

Chart showing testosterone levels over treatment time; GnRH antagonist without an initial testosterone surge.

Ready to talk about treatment options with your doctor?

Our doctor discussion guide can help organize your thoughts for your next appointment.

Actor portrayals.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & USE

Do not take ORGOVYX if you have had a severe allergic reaction to relugolix or any of the ingredients in ORGOVYX.

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 and Patient Product Information for ORGOVYX.

What is ORGOVYX?

ORGOVYX 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.