Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Uterine Conditions Endometriosis What to Know About Orilissa (Elagolix) An FDA-Approved Pill to Treat Pain in Women With Endometriosis By Tolu Ajiboye Tolu Ajiboye LinkedIn Tolu Ajiboye is a health writer who works with medical, wellness, biotech, and other healthcare technology companies. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 19, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Brian Levine, MD Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD LinkedIn Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Orilissa (elagolix) is a prescription pill used to treat moderate to severe endometriosis pain. Orilissa is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist that works by blocking GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland of the brain. This has the effect of reducing the signals to produce estrogen that your ovaries receive. It induces a form of menopausal state by preventing your body from making certain hormones, like luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which are responsible for ovulation. Sturti / Getty Images Uses Orilissa is FDA-approved for the management of moderate to severe endometriosis pain. More specifically, it helps women manage the three most common types of pain associated with endometriosis: Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) Dyspareunia (pain during sex) Non-menstrual pelvic pain (pelvic pain in the time between periods) Before Taking If you have been definitively diagnosed with endometriosis—usually after a laparoscopy, your healthcare provider may consider you a good candidate for Orilissa. For your healthcare provider to prescribe this medication would most likely have complained about moderate to severe pain after your diagnosis and other conservative treatments have been tried. Orilissa will likely be prescribed only after other more well-established endometriosis prescription treatments, like birth control pills, have been tried unsuccessfully. Precautions and Contraindications Orilissa cannot be used if you: Are pregnant. The same applies if there is a chance you may be pregnant. Your healthcare provider will likely order a pregnancy test before putting you on Orilissa. Have severe liver disease Have osteoporosis Are taking drugs known as strong OATP1B1 inhibitors. Examples of these drugs are cyclosporine or gemfibrozil. To be on the safe side, run your healthcare provider through all the drugs you’re currently taking. It is not known whether Orilissa is safe and effective for children below the age of 18. Dosage According to the manufacturer, Orilissa is available in two dosages. The first is a 150 milligrams (mg) pill taken once daily (with or without food). The other is a 200 mg Orilissa pill taken twice daily, morning and night, (with or without food). The appropriate dosage should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your pain severity, liver function status, and other factors your healthcare provider may consider. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. Storage Orilissa should be stored at temperatures between 36 and 85 F (2 and 30 C). It should be kept away from moisture. Side Effects Common Common side effects of taking Orilissa are: Hot flashes Night sweats Sleeping difficulties Amenorrhea (absence of periods) Anxiety Mood changes Nausea Severe Although rare, there are a few side effects which can be serious, including: Low estrogen levels, which can lead to loss of bone mineral density. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take calcium and vitamin D supplements while you’re taking Orilissa to counter this side effect and improve your bone health.Suicidal thoughts and behaviorAbnormal liver tests Call Your Healthcare Provider Immediately If You Have: Jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)Dark amber-colored urineFatigueNauseaVomitingSwelling all over the bodyPain in the right upper area of your stomachEasily bruising skinDepression or worsening of pre-existing depression Warnings and Interactions You should inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any medication that may cause bone problems. Better yet, you should list all the drugs and supplements you’re currently taking to your healthcare provider, as your healthcare provider will be in the best position to decide if it’s safe to take Orilissa with them. Orilissa does not prevent pregnancy and should not be used as a form of birth control. You should use non-hormonal birth control options (like condoms) to prevent pregnancy while you’re using Orilissa, because hormonal birth control may make Orilissa less effective. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. AbbVie Inc. Highlights of Prescribing Information. Published 2018. AbbVie Inc. Orilissa official website. Published 2019.