Degarelix vs Triptorelin
Fast-acting GnRH antagonist that rapidly lowers testosterone for advanced prostate cancer treatment
GnRH agonist that helps manage prostate cancer, endometriosis, and early puberty by controlling sex hormones
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Degarelix
80–80 mg
Triptorelin
11.25–11.25 mg
Frequency
Degarelix
Once daily
Triptorelin
Once daily
Administration
Degarelix
As directed by healthcare provider
Triptorelin
Intramuscular injection
Cycle length
Degarelix
Ongoing/indefinite
Triptorelin
Ongoing/indefinite
Onset speed
Degarelix
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Triptorelin
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence level
Degarelix
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Triptorelin
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Benefit ratings
Rapid Testosterone Control
Extended Duration
Clinical Efficacy
Hormone Regulation
Cancer Management
Endometriosis Relief
Compound specifications
Degarelix
Molecular formula
C82H103ClN18O16
Molecular weight
1632.3 Da
Half-life
~53 days (median terminal half-life)
Bioavailability
100% (subcutaneous injection)
CAS number
214766-78-6
Triptorelin
Molecular formula
C64H82N18O13
Molecular weight
1311.4 g/mol
Half-life
2-3 hours (free peptide); 2-4 weeks (depot pamoate formulations)
Bioavailability
~100% (intramuscular/subcutaneous injection)
CAS number
57773-63-4
Dosing compared
Degarelix
Subcutaneous
240 mg (two 120 mg injections)
One time (loading dose) · Single starting dose
FDA-approved loading dose for advanced prostate cancer, given as two separate deep injections under the skin of the belly. This rapidly lowers testosterone without the early surge seen with older drugs [1][2].
80 mg
Every 28 days · Ongoing
FDA-approved maintenance dose, started 28 days after the loading dose. Keeps testosterone at castrate levels in over 97% of patients [1][2].
Triptorelin
Intramuscular injection
3.75 mg
Once every 4 weeks · Ongoing while indicated
FDA-labeled 1-month depot (Trelstar) for advanced prostate cancer; single IM injection into either buttock [5].
11.25 mg
Once every 12 weeks · Ongoing while indicated
FDA-labeled 3-month depot (Trelstar). Strengths are not additive; chosen by desired interval [5].
22.5 mg
Once every 24 weeks · Ongoing while indicated
FDA-labeled 6-month depot (Trelstar for prostate cancer; Triptodur 22.5 mg for central precocious puberty, ages 2+) [5][6].
Best suited for
Degarelix
Men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer requiring rapid hormone control
Degarelix is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer requiring rapid hormone control. [1][2] Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Patients who need immediate testosterone suppression to prevent cancer progression
Degarelix is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on patients who need immediate testosterone suppression to prevent cancer progression. [1][2] Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Men who cannot tolerate the initial testosterone surges from GnRH agonists
Degarelix is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on men who cannot tolerate the initial testosterone surges from gnrh agonists. [5][6] Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Triptorelin
Managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation
Triptorelin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Side effects
Degarelix
Common
- Mild discomfort at treatment site
- Injection site pain (28% of patients)
- Injection site redness or erythema (17%)
- Hot flashes (26% experience them)
- Increased liver enzymes and gamma-glutamyltransferase (10%)
- Weight gain (9%)
- Hypertension or elevated blood pressure (6%)
- Back pain (6%)
- Chills (5%)
- Constipation (5%)
- Urinary tract infection (5%)
- Injection site swelling (6%)
- Injection site induration or hardness (4%)
- Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction
- Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth)
- Testicular atrophy (shrinking)
Serious
- Severe allergic reaction
Triptorelin
Safety & evidence
Degarelix
Evidence level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA status
FDA approved for this use
Safety overview
Degarelix is an FDA-approved GnRH antagonist with safety data from Phase 3 trials and post-market use in prostate cancer treatment. [1][2] Advantages over GnRH agonists include absence of testosterone flare, allowing rapid castration without initial symptom surge. [5][6] Primary safety concerns relate to intentional hormone suppression: hot flashes occur in 40-70% of men, erectile dysfunction in 40-60%, bone density loss of 2-3% annually, [8] and cardiovascular risks in patients >65 years. [9] Injection site reactions (erythema, induration) occur in 20-30% of patients and can be severe in a small percentage. [2] Liver enzyme elevations appear in 5% of patients. [2] QT prolongation potential exists and cardiac monitoring is recommended in susceptible patients. [2]
Contraindications
- History of severe hypersensitivity to degarelix
- Allergy to any product components (mannitol or other additives)
- Active untreated severe anaphylaxis risk
Triptorelin
Evidence level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA status
FDA approved for this use
Safety overview
Triptorelin (GnRH agonist) has extensive FDA-approved safety data spanning decades for prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty indications. Initial testosterone surge upon initiation ("flare reaction") can worsen prostate cancer or spinal cord compression symptoms, requiring careful patient monitoring in first 1-2 weeks and use of androgen antagonists in high-risk patients. Hypogonadal effects including hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, and bone loss develop predictably with chronic GnRH suppression; bone density monitoring is recommended in patients on therapy >6 months.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy (can affect fetal development)
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Known hypersensitivity to GnRH agonists
- Severe untreated depression
- Active spinal cord compression in prostate cancer (requires urgent decompression)
Which is right for you?
Choose Degarelix if...
- Men with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer requiring rapid hormone control
- Patients who need immediate testosterone suppression to prevent cancer progression
- Men who cannot tolerate the initial testosterone surges from GnRH agonists
Choose Triptorelin if...
- Managing advanced prostate cancer when combined with other treatments
- Relieving severe endometriosis pain and symptoms
- Delaying puberty development in children with early sexual maturation