This medication is used by women to help relieve
moderate to severe pain due to a condition called endometriosis.
Endometriosis is the growth of tissue that normally lines the inside of the
womb (uterus) in a different place, such as on the outside surface of the
uterus, on the ovaries, or on other organs. This condition may cause
symptoms such as painful/heavy/irregular menstrual periods, pain during or
after sex, or infertility. Elagolix works by decreasing your body's
production of certain hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating
hormone), which leads to lower amounts of female sex hormones (estrogens).
These lower levels may help decrease some symptoms of
endometriosis.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking elagolix and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
To make sure you are not pregnant, your doctor may do a
pregnancy test before you start taking this medication, or tell you to
start taking it within 7 days after the start of your menstrual period.
Start taking this medication only when directed by your
doctor.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. The dosage and length
of treatment are based on your medical condition, response to treatment,
and other drugs you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and
pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs,
nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). To lessen the risk of bone
loss, this medication is usually taken for up to 6 months or up to 24
months. Talk with your doctor for details.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each
day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Nausea, trouble sleeping, hot flashes, night sweats,
headache, or menstrual period changes may occur. If any of these effects
last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- mental/mood changes (such as new or worsening depression,
anxiety, unusual changes in behavior)
- signs of liver damage (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
This medication lowers estrogen levels in your body. Low
estrogen levels can lead to bone loss. The risk is increased with higher
doses or with longer use of this medication. Some bone loss may be
permanent, so you should take this medication at the lowest effective dose.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this
medication, and ask about taking calcium supplements and vitamin D for bone
health.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking elagolix, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver problems
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- mental/mood disorders (such as depression)
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication must not be used during pregnancy.
Elagolix may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of non-hormonal
birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) while using this medication and
for 4 weeks after stopping treatment. Because this medication affects
menstruation, it may be harder to tell if you are pregnant. If you become
pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right
away.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of elagolix
from your body, which may affect how elagolix works. Examples include
asciminib, belumosudil, cyclosporine, encorafenib, gemfibrozil, letermovir,
resmetirom, vadadustat, voclosporin, among others.
This medication can speed up the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include daridorexant, elacestrant, certain drugs for
hepatitis C (such as asunaprevir, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir),
mavacamten, quizartinib, revumenib, among others.
Hormonal birth control may interact with this
medication. Women of childbearing age should talk with the doctor about
using reliable forms of non-hormonal birth control.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
cholesterol, pregnancy test, bone density tests) may be done before you
start taking this medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical
and lab appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if
it is on the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the
missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the
dose to catch up.
Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep
all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.