Elagolix Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Elagolix Tablet is a prescription oral medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. It belongs to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist drug class and works by lowering estrogen production in the body. It is available as a tablet or capsule and is not approved for use in children.

What is Elagolix Tablet

Elagolix is a prescription oral tablet used to treat pain caused by endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and causes pain.

Elagolix Tablet uses

• Treats moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis

Benefits of Elagolix Tablet

• Helps reduce moderate to severe pain caused by endometriosis.
• Helps relieve painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea).
• Can reduce pelvic pain between periods.
• May help reduce pain during sexual intercourse related to endometriosis.
• Works by lowering estrogen production, which helps reduce endometriosis-related pain.

How Elagolix Tablet works

Elagolix works by attaching to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland, which lowers luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This leads to lower estrogen levels, which reduces the growth of endometriosis lesions and the pain they cause.

Elagolix Tablet dosage

Take exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before starting, or have you start within 7 days after your period begins. Take at about the same time each day, with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take with a full glass of water. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day, but do not double up. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Capsule

Side effects of Elagolix Tablet

Common

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Headache
• Nausea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Absence of periods
• Anxiety
• Joint pain
• Depression and mood changes

Serious

• Bone loss (decreased bone mineral density)
• Suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, and worsening of mood
• Abnormal liver tests (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, swelling, right upper stomach pain, easy bruising)
• Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Chest tightness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing or swallowing

Warnings and precautions

• Elagolix can cause bone loss because it lowers estrogen levels. Bone density may improve after stopping, but full recovery may not happen, and doctors may limit how long you take it. 
• Do not take elagolix if you have osteoporosis or severe liver disease. Elagolix does not prevent pregnancy. You need to use effective non-hormonal birth control, such as condoms or spermicide, while taking it and for 28 days after stopping. 
• Birth control pills containing estrogen may make elagolix less effective, and it's not known how well elagolix works with progestin-only birth control. 
• Do not take elagolix with certain medicines called OATP1B1 inhibitors that can raise elagolix blood levels, or with cyclosporine or gemfibrozil.
• Do not take elagolix if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, as it may increase the risk of early pregnancy loss and can cause serious birth defects. If you think you are pregnant, stop taking it right away and call your healthcare provider.
• It is not known if elagolix passes into breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medicine.
• Do not take elagolix if you have severe liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting treatment, and watch for signs of liver injury such as yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or upper abdominal pain.

Storage

• Store at 2–30°C (36–86°F) or as directed on the specific product label.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat.
• Protect tablets from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep in the original packaging or tightly closed container.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, or new or worsening depression, anxiety, or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of liver problems such as yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, swelling, upper right abdominal pain, or easy bruising.
• If you think you are pregnant, stop taking elagolix right away and contact your healthcare provider.
• If you take too much elagolix, contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
• Seek care right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, including skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

Alternatives

• Combined oral contraceptives
• Leuprolide
• Norethindrone acetate
• Relugolix combination therapy