Degarelix is a synthetic peptide derivative that has no effects on CYP enzymes, nor is it suspected of having any portentially porphyrinogenic pharmacodynamic effects.

Peptide and hormone antagonist interacting with sex hormone production.

Degarelix is a gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Treatment with degarelix reduces the levels of luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone which in turn suppress the release of testosterone. It may also be used in women for suppression of female steroid hormones. It is administered monthly as a subcutaneous injection.

Degarelix is not a substrate for the CYP450 system, but it is biotransformed by peptidic degradation and excreted mainly in the faeces as peptide fragments. In Vitro testing has not shown induction or inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A4/5 to any great extent. Degarelix has a long half life of 29 days as it is slowly released form the depot formed at the injection site (SPC).