Orgovyx (relugolix) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat advanced prostate cancer. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.

Orgovyx is prescribed to treat advanced prostate cancer in adults. Its active ingredient is relugolix. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Orgovyx is a prostate cancer treatment that lowers the levels of androgens* in your body. It belongs to a group of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists.

This article describes the dosage of Orgovyx, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Orgovyx, see this in-depth article.

* Androgens are hormones. For example, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are androgens. Certain prostate cancer cells grow in response to androgens.

This section describes the usual dosages of Orgovyx. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Orgovyx’s form?

Orgovyx is available as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Orgovyx come in?

Orgovyx comes in a strength of 120 milligrams (mg).

What are the usual dosages of Orgovyx?

The information below describes the dosage that is commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage for your condition.

Dosage for prostate cancer

On the first day of treatment, your doctor will prescribe a loading dose of 360 mg (3 tablets) of Orgovyx. A loading dose is a dose taken at the start of treatment that’s larger than the dose prescribed for the rest of treatment. It helps to quickly increase the drug level in your body so that it can begin to work.

Starting on the second day, and thereafter, you’ll take one 120-mg tablet once per day.

Is Orgovyx used long term?

Yes, Orgovyx is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Orgovyx may interact with certain medications.

Some medications speed up or slow down enzymes (proteins) that break down and help remove Orgovyx from the body. These interactions may affect the levels of Orgovyx in your body.

When the level of Orgovyx is too high, you have an increased risk of experiencing side effects. And when the level is too low, Orgovyx may be less effective.

If you’re taking a medication that affects Orgovyx levels, your doctor will adjust your Orgovyx dosage or the timing of your dose. Examples of medications* that affect Orgovyx levels include:

If you have questions about dosage adjustments you may need with certain medications, talk with your doctor.

* This is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions with Orgovyx. Be sure to share your list of prescription and over-the-counter medications with your doctor and pharmacist so they can check for interactions.

Orgovyx is available as a tablet that you swallow. Do not crush, split, or chew Orgovyx tablets. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

You’ll take Orgovyx once per day as directed by your doctor. Try to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep steady levels of Orgovyx in your body for the treatment to keep working. You can take Orgovxy with or without food.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Orgovyx, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you miss a dose of Orgovyx, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been longer than 12 hours since your last dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. Do not double your dose of Orgovyx. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Orgovyx on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Orgovyx than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Orgovyx

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Orgovyx. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Orgovyx’s dosage.

Is Orgovyx’s dosage similar to the dosage of Firmagon?

No. Even though both drugs work in similar ways to treat prostate cancer, Orgovyx and Firmagon (degarelix) don’t have similar dosages.

For example, each drug has a different form and dosing schedule. Orgovyx comes as an oral tablet. It’s taken once per day.

In comparison, Firmagon comes as a powder that’s mixed into a liquid solution. It’s given as an injection under the skin by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office. You’ll usually receive Firmagon once every 28 days.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Orgovyx to start working?

Orgovyx starts to work after your first dose. In studies, 97% of males* taking Orgovyx lowered their testosterone levels below a target level of 50 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood (< 50 ng/dL) by their 29th day of treatment.

Your doctor will monitor your testosterone level and your condition during treatment to check whether the drug is working for you.

If you have questions about what to expect from your Orgovyx treatment, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Orgovyx for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Orgovyx without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Orgovyx exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How likely am I to have side effects after the loading dose of Orgovyx?
  • Will I need a dosage adjustment if I have kidney problems?
  • How does the dosage of Orgovyx compare with the dosage of Zoladex (goserelin)?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.