Generic Name: histrelin (implant) (his TREL in)
Brand names: Supprelin LA, Vantas, Supprelin
What is histrelin?
Histrelin is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body. Histrelin overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily.
The Supprelin LA brand of histrelin is used to treat precocious puberty in both male and female children.
The Vantas brand of histrelin is used to treat symptoms of prostate cancer in men. Vantas should not be used in women or children. Histrelin treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself. Use any other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition.
Histrelin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about histrelin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to histrelin or other medications that affect gonadotropin hormones. The Supprelin LA brand of histrelin is used to treat precocious puberty in children. The Vantas brand of histrelin is used to treat symptoms of prostate cancer in men. Vantas should not be used in women or children. Histrelin can cause a miscarriage or birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before you receive histrelin, tell your doctor if you have painful or difficult urination, diabetes, heart disease, coronary artery disease, liver disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, osteoporosis, or a condition affecting your spine.
You may have a temporary increase in symptoms of your condition for a week or so after you have received the histrelin implant. Call your doctor if any of these symptoms become severe.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, urinating more or less than usual, sudden numbness or severe headache, problems with speech or vision, increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.
You will need regular medical tests to be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Visit your doctor regularly.
A histrelin implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then removed. Your doctor will determine at that time whether you need to receive another implant for treatment of your symptoms.
If you are using histrelin to treat prostate cancer, use any other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition. Histrelin treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive histrelin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to histrelin or to similar hormone medications such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, Viadur), nafarelin (Synarel), or ganirelix (Antagon).
To make sure you can safely use histrelin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
painful or difficult urination;
diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, recent weight gain, high cholesterol (especially in men);
coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
liver disease;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
osteoporosis; or
a condition affecting your spine.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use histrelin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether histrelin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How is histrelin given?
Histrelin is given in a tiny implant that is inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. You will receive this implant with a minor surgical procedure in a clinic or doctor's office.
It is best to place the implant into your non-dominant arm (your left arm if you are right-handed). Be sure to tell your doctor which arm you use most often.
You should be lying on your back during insertion of the histrelin implant. Your arm will be positioned with your elbow bent and held still while the implant is inserted.
The skin of your upper arm will be treated with a numbing medicine to keep you from feeling pain during the insertion. Once your arm is numb, your doctor will use a scalpel to cut a small incision where the implant will be inserted.
The histrelin implant is inserted using a special tool that pushes the implant into place through the incision in your skin. After injecting the implant and removing the insertion tool, your doctor will then feel your arm to make sure the implant has been correctly placed.
The incision in your skin may be closed with a small number of stitches or surgical strips. Follow your doctor's instructions about caring for the incision and keeping it bandaged and clean until it heals completely. After receiving your implant, keep the arm dry for at least 24 hours.
You will most likely be able to feel the implant through your skin, but it should not cause pain or discomfort. Call your doctor if you have any pain, swelling, tenderness, itching, tingling, bruising, or redness where the implant was inserted.
Call your doctor if any part of the implant comes through the skin, or if the entire implant falls out.
You may have a temporary increase in symptoms of your condition for a week or so after you have received the histrelin implant. Call your doctor if any of these symptoms become severe.
You will need regular medical tests to be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Visit your doctor regularly.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using histrelin.
A histrelin implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then removed. Your doctor will determine at that time whether you need to receive another implant for continued relief of prostate cancer symptoms.
Whether or not you receive a new histrelin implant, the old one must be removed after 12 months of use. A histrelin implant must be removed through a surgical incision in your doctor's office.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since histrelin is given as an implant by a healthcare professional, you will not be on a frequent dosing schedule.
The implant should not be left in your arm for longer than 12 months. Call your doctor when it is time for your implant to be removed.
What happens if I overdose?
Since the histrelin implant contains a specific amount of the medication, you are not likely to receive an overdose.
What should I avoid after receiving a histrelin implant?
For at least 7 days after your implant is inserted, avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Histrelin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
swelling, redness, oozing, or other signs of infection around the implant;
severe bone pain, severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet;
blood in your urine, pain when you urinate;
painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual or not at all;
upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination;
loss of movement in any part of your body, loss of bladder or bowel control;
increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor;
sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision or speech; or
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
headache;
nosebleeds;
mood changes, tired feeling;
weight gain or loss;
menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding;
constipation;
breast swelling or tenderness;
night sweats, feeling hot or cold;
impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm; or
pain or swelling in your testicles.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Histrelin Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:
VANTAS:
one 50 mg histrelin acetate implant every 12 months. The implant is inserted subcutaneously in the inner aspect of the upper arm and provides continuous release of histrelin for 12 months of hormonal therapy.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Precocious Puberty:
Supprelin LA:
one 50 mg histrelin acetate implant every 12 months. The implant is inserted subcutaneously in the inner aspect of the upper arm and provides continuous release of histrelin for 12 months of hormonal therapy.
What other drugs will affect histrelin?
There may be other drugs that can interact with histrelin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More histrelin resources
- Histrelin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Histrelin Dosage
- Histrelin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Histrelin Drug Interactions
- Histrelin Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Histrelin - Add your own review/rating
Compare histrelin with other medications
- Precocious Puberty
- Prostate Cancer
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about histrelin.
See also: histrelin side effects (in more detail)
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