The aims of the present study were to investigate the incidence of injection site reactions (ISRs) following administration of 240 mg degarelix and identify the risk factors for ISRs.
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Incidence, risk factors of injection site reactions with degarelix investigated
the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:
In a recent study, investigators sought to determine the incidence of injection site reactions (ISRs) after administration of degarelix as well as identify the risk factors for ISRs.
The study involved 50 men receiving subcutaneous therapy for the first time. The men received 240 mg degarelix, administered as two 3-mL subcutaneous injections.
Mean age of patients was 75.6 years, and mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level just before degarelix administration was 198.4 ng/mL.
Thirty-three patients received hormonal therapy with degarelix for the first time; 11 patients were receiving an oral steroid (six for prostate cancer, one for hematologic disease, and four for allergic conditions).
Injection site reactions were observed in 25 patients, all categorized as grade 1 or 2. Two patients discontinued digarelix due to ISR. Study findings showed incidence of ISRs in patients receiving subcutaneous therapy for the first time was 64%; incidence of ISRs in patients also receiving an oral steroid was 18%.
The investigators recommend patient education include information on the possibility of ISR due to degarelix prior to administration, especially patients who are not receiving steroids and those who have no experience with subcutaneous injections.
