Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library elagolix

elagolix

Pronunciation: EL a GOE lix

Brand: Orilissa

What is the most important information I should know about elagolix?

What is the most important information I should know about elagolix?

Do not use if you are pregnant. Elagolix may cause miscarriage.

Hormonal birth control methods (birth control pills, injections, implants) could make elagolix less effective. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide while you are taking elagolix and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

Elagolix can lower your estrogen levels, which may cause bone loss (osteoporosis). Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy during and after treatment with this medicine.

What is elagolix?

What is elagolix?

Elagolix binds to the same receptors in the body as a certain hormone that stimulates the production of sex hormones. Elagolix works by lowering blood levels of estradiol and progesterone (female sex hormones).

Elagolix is used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by endometriosis.

Elagolix may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking elagolix?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking elagolix?

You should not use elagolix if you are allergic to it, or if:

  • you have osteoporosis;
  • you are pregnant or may become pregnant;
  • you have severe liver disease; or
  • you also use certain other medicines such as cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, or rifampin.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Do not use elagolix if you are pregnant, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. This medicine may cause miscarriage.

Elagolix may change your menstrual periods, making it harder for you to know if you are pregnant. Other signs of pregnancy could include breast tenderness, nausea, and weight gain.

Birth control pills can make elagolix less effective. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide to prevent pregnancy while using elagolix and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • a broken bone;
  • low bone mineral density;
  • depression or a mood disorder; or
  • suicidal thoughts or actions.

Elagolix can lower your estrogen levels, which may cause bone loss (osteoporosis). Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy during and after treatment with this medicine.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How should I take elagolix?

How should I take elagolix?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Your dosing schedule may change if you switch to a different strength of this medicine. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not keep leftover elagolix that is no longer needed. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. Do not flush the unused tablets down the toilet.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose if you remember it later in the day. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking elagolix?

What should I avoid while taking elagolix?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of elagolix?

What are the possible side effects of elagolix?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or thoughts about suicide; or
  • liver problems --nausea, vomiting, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, easy bruising, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

  • hot flashes, night sweats;
  • missed menstrual periods;
  • mood changes;
  • headache, joint pain;
  • nausea; or
  • trouble sleeping.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect elagolix?

What other drugs will affect elagolix?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • birth control pills; or
  • birth control injections or implants.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect elagolix, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about elagolix.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details