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Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists
In 2003, the FDA approved abarelix (Plenaxis) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer that does not respond to other hormone therapies. Abarelix works by lowering levels of testosterone in the blood. It is equivalent to treatment by surgical castration in delaying progression of cancer initially, but effectiveness decreases over time. The drug is given by injection every two weeks for the first month, then every four weeks. Because it can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in some men, the drug is available only through doctors participating in a risk management program. Side effects include hot flashes, sleep disturbance, breast enlargement, and dizziness.
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