Orilissa (elagolix) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain from endometriosis in adults. As with other drugs, Orilissa can cause side effects, such as headache and nausea.

Orilissa can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Orilissa in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Orilissa use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people taking Orilissa have reported include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Orilissa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Orilissa may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Orilissa prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Orilissa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms that people taking Orilissa have reported include:

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Orilissa tablet can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Orilissa, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Orilissa may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Orilissa cause long-term side effects?

Yes, Orilissa can cause long-term side effects. These include side effects that can start at any time during treatment or side effects that don’t go away even after you stop taking the drug. Examples of long-term side effects Orilissa can cause include bone loss and menstrual irregularities.

Bone loss may not be completely reversible even after you stop taking the drug. You may have an increased risk of bone loss if you’re taking a higher dose of Orilissa. For information about Orilissa’s dosage, see this article.

Taking Orilissa may cause your periods to be lighter or shorter than usual. To learn more about this, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about Orilissa’s possible long-term side effects.

How long do side effects of Orilissa last?

It depends. Some mild side effects of Orilissa are temporary and will go away as your body adjusts to the drug.

Some side effects, such as bone loss, can continue even after you stop taking Orilissa. Depression and menstrual changes (see “Side effect specifics” for details) may persist while you’re taking the drug but will likely go away within months after stopping treatment.

If you have questions about how long specific side effects of Orilissa may last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there reviews of side effects from Orilissa?

The manufacturer of Orilissa has a section on its website that has reviews of the drug. It doesn’t mention the side effects people have experienced. Side effects of Orilissa are different for everyone. You can refer to “Mild side effects of Orilissa” earlier in the article for a list of possible side effects.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about Orilissa’s side effects.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Orilissa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Orilissa.

Menstrual irregularities

Some people experienced menstrual irregularities during treatment with Orilissa. These include lighter or shorter menstrual bleeding than usual. A complete loss of period (amenorrhea) is also possible while taking Orilissa. This was a common side effect reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Menstrual changes can occur at any time while taking Orilissa. But they may be more likely after 6 months of taking the drug. Taking a higher dose can also raise the risk of menstrual changes.

What you can do

Usually, these changes in menstruation are not harmful. Your period will typically return to usual within 6 months after you stop taking Orilissa.

Keep in mind that a change in bleeding can make it harder to know if you’re pregnant. Be sure to watch for other signs of pregnancy, such as weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea.

If you have concerns about vaginal bleeding or think you might be pregnant, talk with your doctor right away.

Changes in mood

Depression or other mood changes were a common side effect of Orilissa in clinical trials. In rare cases, this could be severe and lead to thoughts of suicide. The risk of depression is higher in people who have or have had depression or suicidal thoughts. The risk also increases with a higher dose of Orilissa.

Depression or other mood changes may include symptoms such as:

What you can do

Before you start Orilissa, tell your doctor if you have had depression or suicidal thoughts.

If you experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or thoughts of suicide, talk with your doctor right away. They can determine if it’s safe for you to continue taking Orilissa. If this applies to you, your doctor may recommend that you see a mental health professional.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

Before taking Orilissa, discuss your health history with your doctor. Orilissa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.