Recent Orgovyx Validation

Posted by toolbelt @toolbelt, Mar 17 8:07am

Recent validation of Orgovyx benefits vs Lupron.

https://www.urologytimes.com/view/relugolix-plus-radiotherapy-shows-safety-efficacy-in-prostate-cancer

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

I have been on Orgovyx for pat 17 months with one month to go. My clinic generally puts patients on Lupron but I asked the doc for Orgovyx instead. He asked why and I told him that I did not consider long-acting injectables (Lupron) to provide steady state blood levels. He agreed and put in the non-formulary request for Orgovyx which was approved by insurance. I am a pharmacist so I have seen long-acting injectables give less than optimal blood levels. I am telling you this because your insurance will probably not approve a request for Orgovyx for other common requests (better outcomes, less side effects, etc). The good news is that on April 10th, my testosterone should begin to increase (I hope) while Lupron would stick around for several months. Good luck to all!

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@miked77

I have been on Orgovyx for pat 17 months with one month to go. My clinic generally puts patients on Lupron but I asked the doc for Orgovyx instead. He asked why and I told him that I did not consider long-acting injectables (Lupron) to provide steady state blood levels. He agreed and put in the non-formulary request for Orgovyx which was approved by insurance. I am a pharmacist so I have seen long-acting injectables give less than optimal blood levels. I am telling you this because your insurance will probably not approve a request for Orgovyx for other common requests (better outcomes, less side effects, etc). The good news is that on April 10th, my testosterone should begin to increase (I hope) while Lupron would stick around for several months. Good luck to all!

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Thanks. I pretty much insisted on orgovyx versus lupron myself because of the results that have been shown, and because it's in pill form which gives me some modicum of control in this. Otherwise out of control scenario. In 9 days my testosterone dropped from 517 to 22. I'm in the third month of a 6-month treatment. Stay strong brother

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@miked77

I have been on Orgovyx for pat 17 months with one month to go. My clinic generally puts patients on Lupron but I asked the doc for Orgovyx instead. He asked why and I told him that I did not consider long-acting injectables (Lupron) to provide steady state blood levels. He agreed and put in the non-formulary request for Orgovyx which was approved by insurance. I am a pharmacist so I have seen long-acting injectables give less than optimal blood levels. I am telling you this because your insurance will probably not approve a request for Orgovyx for other common requests (better outcomes, less side effects, etc). The good news is that on April 10th, my testosterone should begin to increase (I hope) while Lupron would stick around for several months. Good luck to all!

Jump to this post

Orgovyx is ok for someone that has cardiovascular disease? I have 2 stents placed in 2019.
or, Lupron in tablet form is better for my situation with heart disease under control.

REPLY
@miked77

I have been on Orgovyx for pat 17 months with one month to go. My clinic generally puts patients on Lupron but I asked the doc for Orgovyx instead. He asked why and I told him that I did not consider long-acting injectables (Lupron) to provide steady state blood levels. He agreed and put in the non-formulary request for Orgovyx which was approved by insurance. I am a pharmacist so I have seen long-acting injectables give less than optimal blood levels. I am telling you this because your insurance will probably not approve a request for Orgovyx for other common requests (better outcomes, less side effects, etc). The good news is that on April 10th, my testosterone should begin to increase (I hope) while Lupron would stick around for several months. Good luck to all!

Jump to this post

Orgovyx was covered under my Medicare Part D drug coverage as a Tier 5 med w/ 25% copay.

No special approval required; just a significant out of pocket cost. However others have different coverage and there can be financial assistance in some cases.

Injectables should be covered in whole or in large part under Medicare Part B or commercial insurance.

Just an additional comment to your very helpful post.

And while I was fine with the "daily dose at same time", for some men a "set it and forget it" 3 or 6 mo injection may result in better patient compliance.

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@michaelcharles

Orgovyx was covered under my Medicare Part D drug coverage as a Tier 5 med w/ 25% copay.

No special approval required; just a significant out of pocket cost. However others have different coverage and there can be financial assistance in some cases.

Injectables should be covered in whole or in large part under Medicare Part B or commercial insurance.

Just an additional comment to your very helpful post.

And while I was fine with the "daily dose at same time", for some men a "set it and forget it" 3 or 6 mo injection may result in better patient compliance.

Jump to this post

I agree with your comment on Lupron vs Orgovyx. Compliance with taking a daily pill is critical. If you have trouble remembering to take your blood pressure or cholesterol pill daily, then get the Lupron injection.

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My husband and I made the decision to switch to Orgovyx from the monthly Degarelix shot two months ago. As the two meds work in roughly the same way, he has not experienced any change in side effects or any problems with the switch. He WAS having a rough time with the shot. A big red square on his stomach which was tender for more than a week and then a hard patch that was still there a month later when he got the next shot (on the other side). As with an earlier commenter, we did not think that having one month (or 6 months) of a drug pumped under his skin was a good idea. Clinical evidence indicates the shots (whichever one you get) last far longer than intended and do not evenly distribute the dose. But, not everyone is good at remembering to take pills so it's a personal decision.

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If cost and compliance are not issues, I would recommend Orgovyx based upon my personal experience with it.

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