FDA has given its approval for degarelix, a drug used in treatment of prostrate cancer. Degarelix is an injectable drug which has got approval for prostrate cancer treatment in several years.

The drug belongs to a group of drugs called gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor inhibitors. These drugs suppress the male hormone testosterone. Previously used treatments for prostrate cancer include hormonal treatments. Such treatments cause a sudden increase in production of testosterone. This in turn plays a vital role in the growth of prostate cancer. But Degarelix doesn't cause a spurt in testosterone.

However, the drug has side effects like injection site reactions, hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue and an increase in certain liver enzymes.

Trials were conducted on 408 prostrate cancer patients. They were randomly administered 240 mg degarelix subcutaneous injection for one month. Others were given onthly maintenance doses of 80 mg or monthly 7.5 mg intermuscular injections of leuprolide depot. The objective of the trials was to study the testosterone suppression

It was observed that the patients who were given to degarelix injections achieved suppression of testosterone levels faster than those assigned to leuprolide.