*This post is sponsored by AbbVie
When I was beginning my journey into womanhood, I suffered from symptoms that I was told were ‘normal’ by my family OB/GYN. Many times I missed school because of the pelvic pain, and the discomfort was so bad that sitting was too painful to bear.
In my late twenties, I moved out of state and began seeing a new OB/GYN, who performed a sonogram out of concern regarding my medical family history. She explained to me that she believed I may have endometriosis.
I was in shock and feeling so upset that my family OB/GYN never discussed endometriosis with me, especially given my family history. Up until I was diagnosed, I followed a cycle of taking oral contraceptives and over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease my symptoms. Not knowing anyone else with endometriosis that I could relate to and seek help from, I felt alone. After learning that I had endometriosis, my first step was searching the internet for more information, solutions and to connect with others who have the condition.
Because I suffer from endometriosis, I understand how confusing it can be and want to help educate women who suffer from the condition about what I’ve learned. While there is no cure for endometriosis, treatment options are available. Every woman is different and its important to speak to your healthcare provider about treatment options that could work for you, including holistic approaches, such as changes in diet or acupuncture, medications or surgery.
One potential treatment option that I have learned about is ORILISSA® (elagolix). ORILISSA is for women 18 and over with moderate to severe endometriosis ain.
If you or someone you know has endometriosis pain, I encourage you to visit Orilissa.com to learn more and get information that can help you have a meaningful discussion with your doctor. You can even create a personalized discussion guide to help explain your pain to your doctor.
For more information, visit ORILISSA.com.
Information about ORILISSA
Please see below for Important Safety Information.
Please visit www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/orilissa_pi.pdf for the Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide.
USE
ORILISSA® (elagolix) is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. It is not known if ORILISSA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about ORILISSA?
ORILISSA may cause serious side effects, including:
- Bone Loss (decreased Bone Mineral Density [BMD])
While you are taking ORILISSA, your estrogen levels will be low. This can lead to BMD loss. Your BMD may improve after stopping ORILISSA, but may not recover completely. It is unknown if these bone changes could increase your risk for broken bones as you age. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may order a DXA scan to check your BMD.
- Effects on Pregnancy
Do not take ORILISSA if you are trying to become or are pregnant, as your risk for early pregnancy loss may increase. If you think you are pregnant, stop taking ORILISSA right away and call your HCP. ORILISSA may change your menstrual periods (irregular bleeding or spotting, a decrease in menstrual bleeding, or no bleeding at all), making it hard to know if you are pregnant. Watch for other signs of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, weight gain, and nausea. ORILISSA does not prevent pregnancy. You will need to use effective hormone-free birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) while taking ORILISSA and for one week after stopping ORILISSA. Birth control pills that contain estrogen may make ORILISSA less effective. It is unknown how well ORILISSA works while on progestin-only birth control.
Do not take ORILISSA if you:
- Are or may be pregnant, have osteoporosis, have severe liver disease, or take medicines known as strong OATP1B1 inhibitors, such as cyclosporine or gemfibrozil. If you are unsure if you are taking one of these medicines, ask your HCP.
What should I tell my HCP before taking ORILISSA?
Tell your HCP about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have or have had broken bones, have other conditions, or take medicines that may cause bone problems; have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; have liver problems; think you may be pregnant; or are breastfeeding or plan to be. It is unknown if ORILISSA passes into breast milk. Talk to your HCP about the best way to feed your baby if you take ORILISSA.
Tell your HCP about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your HCP if you take birth control pills. Your HCP may advise you to change the pills you take or your method of birth control.
What are the possible side effects of ORILISSA?
ORILISSA can cause serious side effects including:
- Suicidal thoughts, actions, or behavior, and worsening of mood. Call your healthcare provider right away, or call 911 if an emergency, if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or bother you: thoughts about suicide or dying, try to commit suicide, new or worse depression or anxiety, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood. You or your caregiver should pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
- Abnormal liver tests. Call your HCP right away if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark amber-colored urine, feeling tired, nausea and vomiting, generalized swelling, right upper stomach area pain, or bruising easily.
The most common side effects of ORILISSA include; hot flashes or night sweats, headache, nausea, difficulty sleeping, absence of periods, anxiety, joint pain, depression, and mood changes.
These are not all of the possible side effects of ORILISSA. This is the most important information to know about ORILISSA. For more information, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.
Take ORILISSA exactly as your HCP tells you. Tell your HCP if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
Please see the Full Prescribing information, including Medication Guide for Patients, for Orilissa at www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/orilissa_pi.pdf
*Sponsored by AbbVie
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