What is elagolix used for?
- Elagolix is used to treat pain caused by endometriosis.
Before taking elagolix, tell your doctor:
- If you are allergic to elagolix; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Liver disease or soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis).
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Cyclosporine or gemfibrozil.
- If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take elagolix if you are pregnant.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with elagolix.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take elagolix with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take elagolix?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take elagolix. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- This medicine may cause bones to weaken. This effect is greater the longer you take elagolix and may not go back to normal when elagolix is stopped. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
- Take calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your doctor.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control, like a condom, while you are taking elagolix and for 7 days after stopping it.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby or loss of the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
- This medicine may cause menstrual period changes like abnormal bleeding or spotting, less bleeding, or no bleeding. This may make it hard to know if you are pregnant. Call your doctor if you have other signs of pregnancy like tender breasts, weight gain, or upset stomach.
- If you are a woman and you miss a period, have unprotected sex, or think that your birth control has not worked, call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is elagolix best taken?
Use elagolix as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Take elagolix at the same time of day.
- Have a pregnancy test before starting elagolix, or start taking it within 7 days of when your menstrual period starts. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure how to start elagolix.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are the side effects of elagolix that I need to call my doctor about immediately?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- New or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of killing yourself.
- Anxiety.
What are some other side effects of elagolix?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Period (menstrual) changes.
- Hot flashes.
- Night sweats.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach.
- Not able to sleep.
- Joint pain.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If overdose is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out elagolix?
- Store in a refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer information use and disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time elagolix is refilled. If you have any questions about elagolix, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take elagolix or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to elagolix. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
