Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Oriahnn
- Estrogens/Progestins;
- Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonists
Description
Elagolix
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH); inhibits endogenous GnRH signaling by binding competitively to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland
Results in dose-dependent suppression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, leading to decreased blood concentrations of the ovarian sex hormones estradiol and progesterone and reduces bleeding associated with uterine fibroids
Estradiol
Acts by binding to nuclear receptors that are expressed in estrogen-responsive tissues
Addition of exogenous estradiol may reduce the increase in bone resorption and resultant bone loss that can occur due to a decrease in circulating estrogen from elagolix alone
Norethindrone acetate
Acts by binding to nuclear receptors that are expressed in progesterone-responsive tissues
May protect uterus from potential adverse endometrial effects of unopposed estrogen
Indications
Indicated for management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) in premenopausal women
Contraindications
Pregnancy
Osteoporosis
Current or history of breast cancer or other hormonally sensitive malignancies, and with increased risk for hormonally sensitive malignancies
Hepatic impairment or disease
Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
Anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, or hypersensitivity any of the drug components
OATP1B1 inhibitors
Adverse Effects
Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) >3% (27%)
Hot flush (22%)
Increased diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥100 mmHg (11.3%)
1-10%
Headache (9%)
Increased systolic BP ≥160 mmHg (7.1%)
Fatigue (6%)
Metrorrhagia (5%)
Alopecia (3.5%)
Depression (3%)
Decreased BMD ≥8% (1.7%)
Increased ALT/AST (1.1-1.3%)
Warnings
Estrogens and progestins increase risk of thromboembolism; discontinue if thrombotic event occurs or suspected; discontinue immediately if there is sudden unexplained partial or complete vision loss, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions, and evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis; contraindicated with known thrombotic conditions or individuals at high risk
May decrease BMD in some patients; BMD loss is greater with increasing duration of use; contraindicated with known osteoporosis
Use of estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin associated with increased risk for abnormal mammograms requiring further evaluation; surveillance measures, such as breast examinations and regular mammography, are recommended; discontinue drug if hormonally sensitive malignancy is diagnosed; contraindicated with current or history of breast cancer or other hormonally sensitive cancer
Suicidal ideation and behavior, including a completed suicide, occurred in women treated with lower doses of elagolix in clinical trials conducted for a different indication; promptly evaluate patients with depressive symptoms to determine whether the risks of continued therapy outweigh the benefits
Monitor transaminases; instruct patients to seek medical attention for signs of liver injury (eg, jaundice); contraindicated with hepatic impairment or disease
Monitor BP; for women with well-controlled hypertension, continue to monitor BP and stop drug if BP increases significantly; contraindicated with uncontrolled hypertension
Small increased risk of developing gallbladder disease; assess risk with history of cholestatic jaundice; discontinue if jaundice occurs
Alopecia reported; unknown if hair loss is reversible
Contains FD&C yellow no. 5 (tartrazine), which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in susceptible persons; although incidence is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity
Pregnancy and Lactation
Contraindicated in pregnant women
Exposure early in pregnancy may increase risk of early pregnancy loss
Discontinue drug if pregnancy occurs during treatment
Data are not available on the presence of elagolix in human milk, the effects on breastfed infants, or on milk production
Maximum Dosage
Take one combination capsule (ie, elagolix 300 mg/estradiol 1 mg/norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) PO in AM, THEN
Take one elagolix 300 mg capsule PO in PM
Duration of treatment: Not to exceed 24 months
How supplied
elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone acetate
copackaged capsules
- Contains elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone acetate as a fixed-dose capsule copackaged with a single elagolix capsule
elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone acetate fixed-dose capsule
- 300mg/1mg/0.5mg
elagolix capsule
- 300mg