Like most drugs, Orgovyx may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Orgovyx may cause. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Orgovyx. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Orgovyx can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Orgovyx’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Orgovyx that have been reported include:
* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
† For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Orgovyx can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Orgovyx, call your doctor right away. But, if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Orgovyx that have been reported include:
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Side effect focus
Learn more about some of the side effects Orgovyx may cause.
Abnormal heart rhythm
Orgovyx may cause an abnormal heart rhythm, though this was rare in studies of Orgovyx. But some people who developed this side effect during treatment have had to stop taking the drug.
Orgovyx can cause a type of abnormal heart rhythm called long QT syndrome. This is a change to certain electrical activity in your heart.
Any of the following may increase risk of abnormal heart rhythm, including long QT syndrome, during Orgovyx treatment:
Long QT syndrome often doesn’t cause symptoms, but your doctor may notice it on an electrocardiogram (EKG) test. Symptoms that can occur include:
What might help
While you’re taking Orgovyx, your doctor may check your blood electrolytes and order an EKG for you from time to time. This helps your doctor watch for signs of an abnormal heart rhythm.
If you notice symptoms of abnormal heart rhythm while taking Orgovyx, contact your doctor right away. They may suggest stopping treatment with Orgovyx and can recommend other treatments for your prostate cancer.
Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Taking Orgovyx can cause decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED). These weren’t among the most common side effects reported in studies of the drug, but they may occur.
Decreased sex drive and ED are side effects expected from treatments like Orgovyx. This is because Orgovyx works to decrease testosterone in the body to nearly undetectable levels.
Testosterone is a hormone that affects your sex drive and mood, among other functions. It can also cause prostate cancer to grow. This is why medications that lower testosterone levels, such as Orgovyx, may be used to treat prostate cancer.
It’s also important to note that ED can also be a symptom of advanced prostate cancer, the condition Orgovyx is used to treat.
What might help
Talk with your doctor if you notice decreased sex drive or ED while taking Orgovyx. They can discuss ways to manage these side effects. This includes using medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) if it’s safe for you to do so. They may also recommend treatments other than medications, such as pelvic floor exercises.
Heart attack
While extremely rare in studies, heart attack is a possible side effect of Orgovyx.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
What might help
If you think you’re having symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or go to your closest emergency room. A heart attack is a life threatening medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.
If you have a heart attack during Orgovyx treatment, your doctor will let you know whether you should keep taking the drug.
Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Orgovyx. Although allergic reactions weren’t reported in studies of Orgovyx, they may still happen in rare cases.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Orgovyx. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
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