Hello Joyce,

The flare can be prevented by taking Casodex for about two weeks prior to the first shot and one or two weeks following. If your husband has been on another hormone the flare may not be an issue. I would ask the doctor before the shot what he recommends.

Best to you and your husband.

Don

PA_grandma said...
My husband has had two doses of Firmagon and tomorrow is changing to Lupron (so the injection will last three months).


I've read about a 'flare'? after Lupron. What side effects can we expect?

Firmagon = degarelix. It blocks the production of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the pituitary. This prevents stimulation of testosterone (T) by the GnRH.

Lupron directly prevents production of T.

The flare is the increase of T production upon first dosage of Lupron, Trelstar or Zoladex. This can be damaging, especially in cases where the patient is at an advanced stage. The usual means of avoiding flare is about a week of oral Casodex (bicalutimide) at 50 mg per day. Medics who prescribe the above three meds have a duty to be aware of this.