Last update April 15, 2026

Elagolix

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. It produces a dose-dependent suppression of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to a decrease in blood levels of the ovarian sex hormones, oestradiol and progesterone. It is administered orally, in one or two daily doses.

As of the last update, no information is available on the use of elagolix during breastfeeding.

Its pharmacokinetic data (very large volume of distribution, moderately high molecular weight and plasma protein binding, and short half-life) make it unlikely that clinically significant amounts will pass into breast milk. 

Until further published data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding become available, known safer alternatives may be preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in cases of prematurity.

As milk production depends on minimum levels of oestrogen, this product could theoretically reduce milk production.

Alternatives

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Elagolix in other languages or writings:

Group

Elagolix belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Elagolix in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 654 daltons
Protein Binding 80 %
VD 23.9 l/Kg
pKa 3.86 -
Tmax 1 hours
4 - 6 hours

References

  1. Barretta M, Vignali M, La Marca A, Grandi G. The oral GnRH antagonists, a new class of drugs in gynecology: from pharmacokinetics to possible clinical applications. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2024 Dec 17:1-13. Abstract
  2. AbbVie. Elagolix. Drug Summary. 2020 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Shebley M, Polepally AR, Nader A, Ng JW, Winzenborg I, Klein CE, Noertersheuser P, Gibbs MA, Mostafa NM. Clinical Pharmacology of Elagolix: An Oral Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Antagonist for Endometriosis. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2020 Mar;59(3):297-309. Abstract Full text (link to original source)

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