Switching from Lupron to Orgovyx.

I switched to Orgovyx After seven years on Lupron. For about four months, my hot flashes stopped and the fifth month they started up a little bit, after that they’re happened like usual..

I noticed no other differences between Orgovyx and Lupron.

I know a lot of other people that made the switch, The differences were minimal.

jeffMar, what was/were the reason(s) for switching? Does it seem to have been a good decision?

As I mentioned in a later message, I switched from Lupron to Orgovyx For financial reasons mainly.

Kaiser decided to charge for infusions after them being free for the last seven years. My 6 Month Lupron shot cost over $400 because it was considered an infusion, even though it was just a shot in the butt.

Orgovyx on the other hand was free because I’d reached the Medicare maximum with my Darolutamide Prescription, which at that time was over $12,000 and the first month I had to pay $3,237. After paying another hundred dollars I didn’t have to pay for any Prescription drugs for the rest of the year.

Orgovyx Kept my PSA undetectable just like Lupron did. It works essentially the same.

There was another benefit to switching. I started Orgovyx in March 2024. In October, I stopped taking ADT and only took Darolutamide. This is something I discussed with my oncologist, I’d been on ADT for eight years and the likelihood of my testosterone coming back was extremely small. As a result quitting Orgovyx would really have no effect on my treatment, and my oncologist agreed. To reduce the risk, my monthly blood tests now included testosterone to make sure it was not coming back. In October my testosterone was below 5, last month it was 25. This is a lot faster than I expected, Could the switch to Orgovyx, After seven months, have caused a change in the way that testosterone normally comes back. Interesting to see if it continues to rise at the speed it’s been going. When it hits 50 I go back on Orgovyx.

It's my understanding Orgovyx has a much shorter half-life than Lupron, which is the reason as of today that I am switching. I will have my first blood work while on Lupron and post radiation the middle of April. 5 more sessions of salvage radiation and must say I am so over it.

It is my understanding from my oncologist that Lupron(And Orgovyx) works differently than Nubeqa And you will have a testosterone level if you are on only Nubeqa. It blocks the testosterone at the cellular level of the cancer only and allows testosterone in the bloodstream. I have not been able to find anything online stating this but from what you Are experiencing would show some confirmation of that if your testosterone continues to go up. I am Due for Lupron later this month and I’m planning on Not taking it and doing just the Nubeqa alone like you are doing And hope for a normal testosterone level and will monitor my PSA and scans for cancer progression.

I did exactly this because the side effects of Lupron were too much for me. The first month on Orgovyx was a bit rough. I think because Lupron was still in my system so I was getting side effects from both. After about a month things stabilized. Orgovyx wasn't easy, but was easier than Lupron and wore off VERY quickly when I stopped taking it. In less than a month my testosterone was back to low normal but fortunately my PSA held at .1 (had radiation, not surgery).

Thanks for the information. I am suspecting some overlap as Lupron does hang on longer than Orgovyx. 2 months in on Lupron and the sides haven't been bad. Annoying headache from 3PM on is about it. No hot flashes but a couple of warm ones from the chest up. I'm ok with driving my T as low as possible for a few weeks. Radiation is where I am having the serious side effects from. The idea of Orgovxy letting go quicker is the reason I am switching. I won't know where my T is until I go in for my 3 month. Best wishes on your journey.

So how is Nubequa different than Orgovyx? I too am having huge problems wth the SE's of Lupron as well as Abiraterone and Prednisone which were added with my last shot 11/2025 of Lupron. Next Lupron shot was to be 2/2025. I declined due to horrible SE's Meeting with main oncologist 4/1/2025 to discuss options. More info about Nubeqa please. On the web it states it is often used in combo with chemo therapy. Is this so in your case?
Thanks,
SW

I know a lot of people over at Ancan.org Who have switched to just Nubeqa And are having no PSA issues for most of them. I quit taking Orgovyx Because I had been on at eight years and it is very unlikely that my testosterone will come back Since I was on Lupron for seven of those years.

For me quitting Orgovyx Was not a big deal, But I have to keep an eye on my testosterone. If it comes back, I will need to restart Orgovyx.

If you have had undetectable PSA for quite a few months Then dropping the ADT could work for you. Make sure to test your testosterone regularly, If it gets above 50, you need to get on an ADT Drug according to my oncologist.

RE: All ADT 'users'
There is research saying a better target is to keep testosterone below 20.
I am going to request a baseline DEXA, bone density scan, during my time as Lupron wears off, prior to starting an oral ADT. Is this a concern of many? BTW, the 12-week Lupron Depot shot is still giving me hot flashes at week 28.
(RP 14 weeks after Lupron, no T results yet, PSA < 0.02)