What is "abarelix"

n. A drug that is an injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Abarelix (trade name Plenaxis) is an injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist ( GnRH antagonist). It is primarily used in oncology to reduce the amount of testosterone made in patients with advanced symptomatic prostate cancer for which no other treatment options are available.

It was originally marketed by Praecis Pharmaceuticals as Plenaxis, and is now marketed by Speciality European Pharma in Germany after receiving a marketing authorisation in 2005. The drug was introduced in the United States in 2003, but was discontinued in this country in May 2005 due to poor sales and a higher-than-expected incidence of severe allergic reactions.