Finally makes sense

[GSDF]

I started Firmagon about a year ago with great results for 5 months and then added Xtandi....Side effects from both were minimal due to weight training in gym 3x a week and aerobic running off days. I began researching the relatively newly FDA approved Orgovyx and it made sense to me to ask my MO to switch me to it as the Firmagon shots were really uncomfortable and tedious having to go in every 28 days.

MO was reluctant, saying the drug was new and he wanted to stick to the tried and true Firmagon but was urging me to switch to Lupron,suggesting the 3 month version would be more convenient, to which I resisted and insisted on the Orgo. He finally agreed and that's where I still am today.

Then I moved to northern IL this past summer and my new MO at NorthShore University Medical Center reviewed my records and seemed surprised I was on Orgo rather than Lupron, saying Lupron is the SOC and actually suggested that I switch to it, while staying on the Xtandi. I told him that the Orgo was a no-brainer for me, one small pill once a day versus a shot every month or 3 months, whatever, I don't like shots and whenever a pill will do same, why not? He shook his head and seemed disappointed saying "well, ok, as you wish" with a sigh.

Now all seems to make a bit more sense to me when I saw this today in my news feed:

inquirer.com/health/consume...

[Derf4223]

I'm on Anthem Medicare Advantage plan. Hospital billed price of 90-day Lupron is about $4400. That gets reduced to what evidently is what Medicare allows ~$540. My co-pay is $108.

[Tall_Allen]

Lupron is covered by Part B. If one has a supplemental plan, it costs nothing. Orgovyx costs the patient quite a bit more.

Because of its short half-life, compliance can be an issue. Miss a dose or 2 and testosterone increases quite a bit.

OTOH, I suspect that it is better for heart rhythms.

[GSDF in reply to Tall_Allen]

That's right sir, the less strain on cardio was another of the deciding factors in my request for the Orgovyx... Thanks for your input!

[compiler]

gsdf:

Your post came at a crucial time for me. I've been fighting the beast since 2009. Lupron/Casodex has worked great for me (about 4 times; always followed by HT vacations. PSAs are once again climbing. Assuming a rise in December Dr. Lam said Orgovyx. The article is encouraging but the Lupron costs were shocking (for me, it wasn't bad, maybe $150 for a 3-mos shot in doctor's office -- had sore hip for about 2-3 days). Can you comment on Orgo vs Lup in terms of SE/effectiveness yet??

Mel

[GSDF in reply to compiler]

I was never on lupron... I was on Firmagon (Degaralix) and switched to Orgovyx which is the oral form of Firmagon....

Lupron and Firmagon accomplish the same mission in lowering testosterone but they are different as Firmagon is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist as is Orgovyx, whereas Lupron is a GnRH agonist.

The transition from Firmagon to Orgovyx for me was seamless and s/e we're identical... The only difference is that with Orgovyx I simply take one small pill once a day whereas the Firmagon was a rather painful shot in the stomach every 28 days.... So I can't compare what the difference would be between Lupron and Orgovyx but my educated guess would be you'd likely not notice a big difference.